Legacy of 'inspirational' Scarborough zookeeper Terry Shelton continues with new national fund

The Terry Shelton Fund aims to help zookeepers develop their knowledge and understanding of the animals they work with and to improve their own well-being.

The fund is being set up in memory of Scarborough man Terry Shelton, who was a zookeeper for more than 25 years.

During his long career, Terry worked at Twycross Zoo, Flamingo Land, Colchester Zoo, Australia Zoo, Dartmoor Zoo and many others.

Terry died on May 17, 2026, from bowel cancer, but his wife Joanna Shelton is determined to ensure he is remembered for the amazing life he lived, rather than how he died.

Joanna said: “In the run-up to Terry’s death he received many messages from people all around the world saying what a big impact he had had on them and what an amazing mentor he was.

“He was passionate about animals and giving them the best care possible and he passed that on to other people whilst building their confidence.

“Terry was an amazing man - very strong and knowledgeable. He understood animals in a way very few people do, but it wasn’t limited to animals, he had a real understanding of other people and how to get the best out of them. “Before he died several messages of condolences were sent all of which talked about how Terry helped them in their career, gave them confidence in themselves and how inspirational he was as a person and as a keeper working with animals.

“It takes a great deal of dedication and passion, strength and at times sheer stubbornness to undertake a job as a zookeeper and maintain that as a career for life.

“Terry and I met when we both worked at Twycross Zoo, and his career continued in zoos although I have moved into academia and now undertake research on human well-being and zoos.

“Zookeeping is a hard career. It is physically and emotionally demanding and often very underpaid and working anti-social hours.

“You cannot just take time off from zookeeping. In much the same way as working in other jobs with animals it can be emotionally draining, trying to make sure every day that the best welfare is given to the animals.

“This fund aims to give zookeepers who have been in the role for at least 10 years an opportunity to take a sabbatical.

“The aim will be to increase their own well-being through having a break but also to increase their own understanding of the animals they work with.

“This could be through trips abroad, travelling round to other zoos within the UK to see how they do things or it could be through an exchange that the keepers set up.

“In some ways, the fund was inspired by a trip we were able to take to Sumatra, which gave us the opportunity to visit vets who work with elephants in Sumatra and to understand some of the similar and different issues they face with their elephants compared to elephants in the UK.

“We were very lucky to have had this sponsored and felt that we would like to pass this opportunity on to other people.

“We have aimed it at people who are at least 35 years of age, as we have both noticed that there does tend to be an element of ageism in the workplace and this is a small way to combat that.

“It seems fitting that a zookeeper who dedicated their life to good animal welfare and excellence in zookeeping should be remembered in this way and his legacy should live on across the UK.”

The fund will be administered by the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums in conjunction with Joanna, who will be one of the trustees. The fund will be set up as a charity under the name of the Terry Shelton Fund, and will initially operate for a minimum of ten years.

Each year, two funds will be made available to zookeepers who meet the criteria to undertake an experience that increases their knowledge and understanding of animals and supports their own well being.

Visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-terry-shelton-zoo-keepers-fund to find out more or to donate.