What my customers say:

“Thomas is living and breathing safety and security. Not only animal related, but seeing the broader perspective organisational wide. You sometimes meet true professionals in life which stay with you and give you experiences you will always keep in mind. And actually can change your way of how you see yourself as an professional. Thomas is one of them.

Due to Thomas we see now that the devil is in the details. And repettition as a whole team is key. Not only do you need to follow protocols. You need to change your perception towards safety to make it succesful. Thomas knows how to inspire others. Doesnt matter the age or background. 

We changed as a team and as a sanctuary because of it. And I know that my team feels so much more involved in their own safety. Which was the greatest benefit. 

I would recommend Zoocrewsafety to any team wanting to feel safe while doing there incredible responsible tasks day in and day out.”

Juno van Zon, Head of Animal and Facility Management, FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary, Netherlands

"Every year, we spend two days at Arosa Bärenland receiving further training on safety from Thomas Prinz. His expertise, experience, analysis, and teaching skills have always led to improvements in our safety system. All employees learned both theory and practical applications, sharpened their own safety awareness in their everyday work, and gained confidence in the implementation of our safety measures."

Dr. Hans Schmid, Scientific Director, Arosa Bear Sanctuary, Switzerland

“Working with your training and consulting gave me a strong, structured understanding of what Safety and Security truly means in a zoo/sanctuary environment. The overall picture is complex and multi-directional, but your approach made it clearer breaking it down into practical parts and showing how responsibilities connect across all levels of the team. Even though the topic can feel overwhelming, your consulting made it understandable and practical, step by step, without losing the bigger picture. Since then, my attitude toward processes, preparedness, and team building has changed: I focus much more on building a strong safety culture, not just procedures. I would definitely recommend your services to any organization or professional who wants to start, improve, or truly master their Safety and Security.”

Dimitar Ivanov, Director of Blagoevgrad zoo, Bulgaria

"What benefited me most was his practical experience in security management combined with his external perspective, not directly from the industry, and his expertise in current international standards. Furthermore, his structured and standardized approach to creating customized security concepts, while always being open to practical input. 

This enabled us to work on our security concepts in a much more structured and standardized way. It is also good to get new input on security-related topics, even or especially if you may already have your own experience in this area.

I would recommend his consulting and training services to any institution interested in developing new security concepts or professionally and practically revising or expanding existing ones."

Marc Gölkel, Veterinarian, IZW-Berlin (Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research), Germany

“There is no way that I could ever forget my first training course with Thomas Prinz. In 2008 I tasted for the first time the excitement, the challenges and the joy of working with experts in safety and security. 

What started as pilot activity became a lasting and sustainable project, supporting, at international level, countless professionals in animal management. The enormous contribution of the safety and security project was to add to the care for animals, to respect and the love for them, the preparedness and the determination to act for the best of interest for both humans and animals. 

Thomas is more than a trainer, he is a mentor, an excellent challenger and a shoulder for stormy days. His vast experience with humankind is an added value to his training. Thomas can “read” you. And then he will know which role you can play in case of a safety issue. Because all must be safe! 

I strongly recommend getting trained by Thomas, if you deal with wild animals.”

Ioana Gabriela Dungler, Dungler for Animal Welfare, Founder & CEO

"The training was always perfectly tailored to our needs and the conditions on site, and each time it was set up with new challenges that were realistic. The open communication and constructive advice have led to a partnership that is greatly appreciated by the entire team. 

Through years of collaboration, a culture has been created in which emergency management and safety are lived and internalized. Crisis management is no longer a burden, but has become a strength in our team! 

This type of training should be an essential and serious component in any business with increased risk potential."

Zoo Manager, Germany

“The training and consulting provided by Thomas were highly beneficial for our Bear Sanctuary NINH BINH. His approach combines strong technical knowledge with a deep understanding of the daily realities in animal care and facility operations.

The biggest impact was an improvement in our team’s awareness of safety risks and clearer communication around procedures and responsibilities. I would strongly recommend his services to any sanctuary, zoo, or animal park looking to build a stronger and more practical safety culture.”

Loc Dinh, Facility Team Manager, Four Paws Vietnam

"Working with wild animals inevitably involves risks, even if a project is focused on animal welfare and non-violence. Thomas Prinz offers customized training for wildlife experts in leadership roles, but above all for those who work directly with the animals: animal keepers and veterinarians.

In group sessions and individual discussions, potential hazards are identified and systems are developed to prevent emergencies, but also to determine what to do in an emergency. Exercises are carried out in collaboration with managers/supervisors and animal keepers and then evaluated. Coming from a background in emergency medicine and trained in disaster control, learners benefit from the diverse and personally experienced wealth of knowledge of someone who has applied what he teaches.

It is useful for modern supervisors to learn how to switch from an everyday democratic leadership style to a crystal-clear, efficient leadership style in an emergency, where all discussions take place beforehand or afterwards, but never during the emergency situation. At the same time, employees who are presumed to be most exposed to the dangerous situation are trained in "crew resource management" to rely on their own abilities and actively find solutions. Mechanisms for cooperation in emergencies between members of different organizations are also practiced.

At the heart of all emergency management is efficient communication, including agreement on key terms and uniform naming for locations and the use of walkie-talkies.

By working with all levels of an organization, and by going through real and simulated emergencies and discussing them afterwards, a hierarchy-integrated collaboration is created that also offers employees security and clarity outside of emergency situations. "

Dr. Signe Preuschoft, head of the orangutan rescue and reintroduction program she founded through Yayasan Jejak Pulang in Indonesia

“As a sanctuary manager of FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary in the Netherlands I have been working with Thomas Prinz for 5 years. Thomas has played a pivotal role in the set up, training and ongoing development of the safety & security process of the project. Also his input for the construction of new animal enclosures on this topic has been of great value. I have come to know Thomas as a professional with, besides the above mentioned expertise, profound knowledge of the psychological aspects for staff and team working in this field.”

Simone Schuls, Sanctuary Manager, FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary, Netherlands

“I was fortunate to be able to actively partake in multiple trainings with focus points on emergency skills in animal sanctuary settings as well as manager in charge trainings, in person as well as online. The trainings were tailored to our specific needs and also the likelihood of certain risks and emergency scenarios, making it much more realistic and relatable. I feel much more equipped to handle and manage possible emergencies (obviously hoping I will never have to) but also for the daily management and routines many, especially communicational tools, can be applied. I also very much appreciated all the psychological input, for example, what happens in us as individuals and team during and after possible traumatising situations and how to support best. I highly recommend the trainings for anyone who wants to be better prepared for emergencies or other challenging situations, especially managing and guiding teams and everyone to safety.”

Christine Steyrer, Veterinarian, Lionsrock Big Cat Sanctuary, South Africa

"The step-by-step review, discussion, and visualization of emergency situations in the workplace, both theoretically and in practical exercises, has given me the tools to better deal with emergencies. Above all, it has helped to raise awareness of potential hazards among my team and myself. All employees are now working more proactively to reduce the risk of such situations occurring."

Annelies Friedl, Head of Animal & Facility Management, BÄRENWALD Arbesbach, Austria

"The training courses have made a real difference for us. The practical exercises and in-depth specialist knowledge have enabled us to optimize work processes and significantly increase safety within the team. I would recommend this consulting service to any zoo or animal park that wants to strengthen its crew and minimize risks. I was also able to use the specialist knowledge we gained in my personal life, outside of my everyday work, as commander of the Arosa fire station."

Rochus Caluori, former Head of Security at Arosa Bear Sanctuary and Commander of the Arosa Fire Department, Switzerland

“Working with Thomas Prinz was not just practical and professional, but deeply empathetic. He understood our challenges, supported our mission, and somehow made even the scariest “what-if” scenarios feel manageable (and occasionally laughable). We walked away more confident, better prepared, and reassured that if chaos ever knocks on our door, we’ll answer it with a solid plan and a steady heart. “

Martina Naerr-Fuchs