Behind the scenes with a Heathrow animal handler

Working with animals is a dream job for many, and one young Londoner is training for just that.

Kiana Evans-Snelling is training as an apprentice zookeeper at Heathrow Airport, handling all different types of animals that pass through the UK's busiest airport.

According to the City of London Animal Reception Centre, staff look after about 22,000 dogs and cats, 400 horses, 100,000 reptiles, 1,000 birds and 28 million fish, and is the only centre of its kind licenced for all animal species.

Story by Anna O'Neill

8 February 2024