The Keepers and the Kept : Confessions of a Zookeeper

The Keepers and the Kept is a 'zoological memoir'. It is a lighthearted and fun account of the life of a zoo, particularly Sydney's Taronga Zoo, from a zookeeper's perspective. It tells of the interesting human characters, gives insight into the running of a zoo and of course has humorous and heart-warming animal stories. There are tales of eccentric collectors who founded the zoo, other keepers, their feuds, practical jokes and political machinations. Terry Boylan describes unusual events such as animal escapes, from Taipan snakes to rampaging elephants, including the hazards (and death) of some zookeepers. He covers the bizarre behaviours of visitors to the zoo and even animal collecting expeditions to foreign countries. Through his anecdotes he reveals how modern zoos have developed into the professional organisations they are today.

Terry Boylan worked as a zookeeper for more than 40 years in Taronga Zoo, Melbourne and London Zoos, particularly as a reptile keeper. He is still employed as a zookeeper by the Taronga Conservation Society.