Who We Are

You Beaut Zoo Loot! was founded in 2024 by
Dr Mark James Learmonth | PhD MAniSci BSc BA

Mark has worked in the zoo industry since 2010, moving around to work at a selection of zoos in Australia. He first graduated University in 2009 with dual Bachelors' degrees in Zoology and Psychology. He then began his zoo journey at Australia Zoo on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, working as an professional presenter and a zookeeper for various animal departments.

After moving to Melbourne in 2011, he earned a place working at the prestigious Melbourne Zoo in 2012. It was also around this time that Mark began to consider going back to University to study Animal Welfare, due to the experiences he had providing first-hand husbandry to a range of zoo species. These experiences made him consider what constitutes a "good life" for animals in captivity (pets included).

In 2014, whilst still working for Melbourne Zoo, Mark began a 2-year Master of Animal Science degree at The University of Melbourne (one of the World's Top Universities), focusing on Animal Welfare in zoos, and eventually studying the welfare of captive Quokkas (Setonix brachyurus) for his research dissertation. He graduated with an H1 (First-class Honours).

Mark then began a research PhD in 2016. Initially focusing on delving into the application of principles of Zoo Animal Welfare and the intersection with Animal Ethics, he published a paper discussing the concept of "natural living" in zoos, and how over-extension of this concept may actually preclude opportunities for optimal animal welfare. He then published experimental work on preferences in tortoises, and published other Animal Ethics literature around sentience and reptiles, and also on current frameworks for conservation and welfare.

Mark graduated with his Doctorate in 2021 during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Since then he had continued to work for Zoos Victoria, joined an Animal Ethics Committee for the Victorian State Government (Victoria, Australia), and has written and contributed to various academic literature (both journal articles and reference books).

In January 2024 Dr Mark James Learmonth emigrated to the United Kingdom with the intention of continuing his academic research career, whilst simultaneously offering his expertise in Animal Welfare and Ethics to the zoos and aquariums of the UK and Ireland (and then Continental Europe) through contractual consultation projects.