Sussex woman marks 40 years at zoo where she grew up

Sue Woodgate has worked at Drusillas since 1984

A woman is celebrating working for 40 years at an animal park where she grew up as a child.

Sue Woodgate lodged with her family from the age of six at Drusillas Zoo Park, near Eastbourne, East Sussex, where her father was a keeper.

She became a junior keeper aged 17 in 1984 and has worked there ever since.

Ms Woodgate, who is the park's business manager, said it was "every child's dream to live at a zoo" and it "sparked a life-long love of animals".

Over four decades she went from apprentice to head keeper before taking on her current management role in 2018.

Ms Woodgate, who lives in nearby Berwick, is the park's longest-serving member of staff.

Sue Woodgate (left) with her father and brother spent her childhood living on site at the zoo

She said: "We aren't supposed to have favourites, but I must admit a capuchin monkey named Barne stole my heart along the way.

"And I had a really special bond with Humboldt penguin Peter. I was the penguin keeper when he arrived so he saw me as family and I adored him."

Ms Woodgate said by far the scariest moment of her career was a wildfire that took hold in a field next to the zoo in 2018.

After 40 years Sue Woodgate is the longest-serving staff member at Drusillas

She said: "We had to evacuate 1,500 visitors and then help keep the fire at bay by forming a chain and passing water buckets dousing the building roofs.

"We were fortunate that none of the animals were harmed."

Ms Woodgate was very clear on what was the worst part of working at a zoo.

"Saying the final goodnight to any of the animals is always emotional for me.

"It never gets any easier. These animals become second family."

Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail].•