Big Cat Keeper Goes Quiet for a Cause — And Raises Hundreds for Tiger Rescue
Known for her boundless energy and constant chatter, Emily De Pasquale Wood, a Big Cat keeper at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm in North Somerset, took on a challenge that pushed her well outside her comfort zone: staying completely silent for an entire workday.
On Wednesday, July 30, Emily swapped her usual laughter, singing, and lively conversation for total silence during her 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. shift — and it paid off. Her Sponsored Silence has already raised over £800 to support the Zoo’s Rescue Tiger Appeal.
“Anyone who knows me will tell you — I never stop talking,” Emily admitted. “Whether I’m singing, dancing, or just chatting with everyone I meet, I’m always making noise. So this was a huge challenge!”
The fundraiser is part of a bigger mission: helping to welcome Aqua, a rescued tiger, into a new life at the Zoo. Emily and the Carnivore Team are passionate about giving Aqua a safe, enriching home and raising awareness about tiger trafficking and conservation issues.
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, home to more than 100 species, operates as a registered conservation charity and is dedicated to protecting endangered animals and inspiring future generations to care about wildlife.
The Rescue Tiger Appeal supports both the zoo’s hands-on care for Aqua and its broader goal to shed light on the urgent threats facing tigers around the world — both in captivity and in the wild.