Sjoukje Vaartjes

Sjoukje Vaartjes is Animal Records Officer at Melbourne Zoo, and holds a Bachelor of Science and qualifications in zoo keeping, nursing, and travel and ticketing.
Sjoukje has travelled extensively around the world, backpacking through China, Russia, Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the U.K., U.S.A., from Kenya to South Africa, Mexico, and Hawaii.

In the Channel Island of Jersey, she trained as a zoo keeper and worked at the Jersey Zoo as the Supervisor of Lemurs, one of her favourite primates. During this time, Sjoukje also visited the chimpanzee rehabilitation program in Gambia, an experience that will stay in her memory forever. After completing her time at the Jersey Zoo, she made her way to the USA, and worked as a camp leader on Long Island, New York.

Finally, after many years travelling and working, Sjoukje returned to Australia and resumed her employment at Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria (where she had worked part-time after leaving school), before coming to her current job at Melbourne Zoo.

Sjoukje’s incredible travel experience makes her ideal as our travel representative. She can book your next adventure and flights to anywhere in the world, as well as look after your travel requirements.