**Welsh Zookeeper Balances Penguin Care With International Pageant Ambitions**
In a remarkable blend of passion for wildlife and a commitment to environmental advocacy, 25-year-old Abigail Wood, currently a zookeeper at Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo, has been awarded the title of Miss Earth Wales 2025. By day, Wood dedicates herself to the welfare of 42 penguins, including vulnerable humboldt and macaroni species, whereas by night, she prepares to step onto an international stage to promote ecological issues on behalf of her country.
Working at the well-loved Folly Farm in Pembrokeshire, Wood’s daily responsibilities centre around feeding and caring for her feathered charges—jobs that are often less than glamorous due to the unmistakable aroma of “stinking” fish and the physical demands of animal husbandry. Yet, she says, by evening she is regularly transformed, donning elegant attire as she rehearses for her next pageant appearance.
Wood’s journey to the Miss Earth Wales crown took place at the recent event at Barry’s Memo Arts Centre. The competition is renowned not just for its showcase of beauty, but also for its unique emphasis on environmental education and activism. For Wood, the ethos of the event perfectly mirrors her own values, which have been fostered since childhood spent in rural Wales. With family holidays often spent away from the trappings of technology, she grew up immersed in the natural world—exploring local reserves and reverently cataloguing butterflies with her brother.
“I’ve never known anything different. Being outdoors, looking after nature, it just became a part of me from a young age,” Wood shared in a recent interview. She recalls summers spent at her grandparents’ caravan near Fishguard as a pivotal experience—no phones, no tablets, just the wonder of discovery in the wild.
Having studied at Swansea University for six years, she holds a master’s degree in environmental biology, specialising in conservation and resource management. In addition to her academic and professional credentials, Wood founded the ‘Wild About Nature’ initiative, which connects children with wildlife through hands-on activities and aims to inspire future generations of conservationists. She also authored a children’s book filled with nature-inspired activities.
Her tenure at Folly Farm began with a seasonal position caring for penguins, but her unwavering enthusiasm rapidly established her as a valued member of the team. In addition to the 42 penguins under her care, Wood also helps look after flamingos and a variety of duck species. “Feeding all these birds can take hours out of my day, but every minute is worth it,” she said, noting the farm’s strong support throughout her pageant journey.
Participation in pageants was, Wood admits, initially a spontaneous decision. However, when she encountered the Miss Earth competition, with its environmental advocacy requirement, she knew immediately it was the right fit. “In pageantry, your ‘advocacy’ is so important, and for me, that was always conservation education,” she stated. Her dual focus on practical action—through zoo work and educational workshops—has made her a compelling representative for Wales.
The Miss Earth pageant, due to be held later this year, highlights the role of beauty pageants in promoting environmental awareness on a global scale. Speaking about her preparation, Wood said, “I’m eager to show that you can be both passionate about nature and feel proud in a glitzy gown. I want people to see that eco-friendliness and glamour aren’t mutually exclusive.”
The international event will see Wood engaging in a variety of hands-on activities, from tree planting to delivering public talks and collaborating with fellow contestants at conservation sites and universities. The process is set to last up to five weeks, during which environmental action and knowledge sharing will be at the heart of the programme.
Reflecting on her dual career, Wood remains committed to showcasing that caring for nature can be meaningful and fun, both for her peers and for the next generation. As she continues to balance the demands of penguin care and beauty queen responsibilities, her story serves as a testament to the evolving role of pageants and the diverse backgrounds of those who champion the planet’s future.