Animal trainer and comedic performer on stage

Name: Emma Malik

Main job: Animal trainer/zoo keeper at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

Side hustle: Stand-up comedian (because why not mix wild animals with wild laughter?)

The timeframe: Fifteen years in the animal industry; five years making people laugh. Or weeping. It’s a fine line.

The reason: A drunken dare at Sydney Mardi Gras. Isn’t that where all life-changing decisions are made? Someone asked if I was a comedian, and I nonchalantly quipped, “No, I train tigers.” A week later, my friend dared me to hit an open mic. Five years later, I suspect my friend owes me a drink.

The money: The financial situation is as stable as a three-legged giraffe, but hey, I can claim my dog as a tax deduction. Take that, Uncle Sam!

Transferable skills: Apparently, comedy and animal training go together like peanut butter and jelly. With the obvious shortage of female animal experts, I live out my version of “The Animal Whisperer,” except my animals are more likely to bite. I’ve been on everything from Comedy Central’s “The Jim Jefferies Show” (in case you need expert dingo advice) to “Studio 10,” where I trained goldfish. Spoiler: they are quite slippery when it comes to comedy.

If I was starting from scratch: I would have launched my web series “Celebrities Patting Animals” sooner. Each episode is literally a celebration of celebrity petting—what a goldmine! My ultimate goal? Interview George Clooney while he pets a giant tortoise. Aim high, they say!

Hardest time: Time management is my middle name—or it should be, given how I juggle my dual jobs. If I’m lucky, I get one day off a week, usually spent under a pile of to-do lists and “what-do-I-even-eat-for-dinner?” decisions. Thankfully, my friends pitch in; my mom even flew from the UK to help with my shows. Clearly, the family support is strong enough for me to go on stage and talk about my life choices.

Best side-hustle moment: The sweet spot where my love for animals meets the art of humor. My shows feature Dukdik, my rescue dog, and a variety of other animal guests. I even created a dramatic arch-nemesis: Susan the Stick Insect, who routinely steals the spotlight—and my diet. Next year, my master plan is to spotlight rescue shelter animals, promoting adoptions and showcasing that owning a pet can lead to comedic gold. And less loneliness.

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Find me: Dig up my content on YouTube – “Celebrities Patting Animals.” Follow me on Facebook & Insta @Emma.Malik.Comedian, Twitter @divadolittle, Website – emmamalik.com, where I share my greatest hits, and possibly my worst decisions.