Zoo Academy

Zoo Academy is a skills-based five-day course which supports young people in developing skills and knowledge to pursue a career in the conservation sector. 

Students have the opportunity to learn directly from Zookeepers and the skilled Education team, with an array of careers demonstrated throughout the course.

As part of our commitment to our local community, and to remove barriers for under-represented people to thrive in the conservation sector, we work with local schools and career teachers to identify students that would benefit from the course, but that the cost of the course is a barrier. Through ZSL’s own commitment and funding from local organisations (Connolly Foundation and Wixamtree Trust) we have supported over 24 local young people from under-represented audiences to participate in this opportunity. 

Interview with Zoo Academy participant Ramia Simmonds

My name is Ramia and I am now 18 years old. When I was at school I had the opportunity to participate in the Zoo Academy at Whipsnade which led me to my chosen career path. I then went on to Shuttleworth college where I completed my first year of Animal Management BTEC level 3. I then completed my final year at Central Bedfordshire college. I have secured my place at Nottingham Trent University where I will study Zoology. 

Was there a moment when you fell in love with animals?

From a very young aged I’ve always loved animals, and I’ve been lucky enough to grow up with many pets. While I’ve always been surrounded by animals, my first close up experience with endangered animals at Whipsnade Zoo really shaped my future. 

Through the Zoo Academy course I was able to help feed Asian short clawed otters, complete body conditioning scores on the Southern white rhinos and I helped to clean out the multi-generational herd of Asian elephants habitat at the zoo.  It was these moments that made me realise I wanted to work with endangered species, like these at Whipsnade Zoo. 

How did you get involved with zoo academy at Whipsnade zoo?

In year 11 I visited a career advisor. After telling her about my love for animals and possibly wanting to become a vet, an amazing opportunity presented itself in the Zoo Academy programme at Whipsnade Zoo. 

I said yes straight away, as I’ve always wanted to work with animals at the conservation zoo. 

What was your favourite moment of completing Zoo Academy at Whipsnade zoo?

One of the most fascinating experiences at Whipsnade Zoo was taking part in behavioural observations on the Endangered chimpanzees and watching the animals taking part in training. 

There’s a chimp family of five at the zoo, who through voluntary training (meaning if they don’t want to do it, they don’t!) contribute towards a number of important conservation projects for their species, like the Great Ape Heart Project which is helping to improve and protect the health of chimpanzees around the world. Whipsnade Zoo’s veterinary team work closely with the chimpanzees, training them to use finger monitors so the team can gather ECG readings, as well as allowing vets to conduct ultrasound examinations on their hearts.

I am very interested in animal behaviour and after completing behavioural observations at the Zoo, I now would like to specialise in behaviour studies after my degree. Being able to see the training of the chimps at Whipsnade was eye opening to me as well as milestone in completing my first ever behavioural study.

What are your career ambitions?

I hope to become a zoologist one day and study animals in the wild. It will be the best combination of my hobbies - travel and my love for the conservation and overall welfare of wild animals.

I am currently finishing my Animal Management course and have earned a place at Nottingham Trent University in September to begin my Zoology degree.

How has zoo academy helped you reach those dreams?

Whipsnade Zoo’s Zoo Academy programme gave me my first insight into what working with animals is like in the real world. 
This programme gave me an upper hand and added knowledge when working with the animals at Shuttleworth College and Central Bedfordshire College. 

The experience has been great to have on my CV, and it helped me to obtain placements at a kennels and then a reptile and aquatics shop.

I also talked about my Zoo Academy work on my personal statement before being accepted into my dream university, Nottingham Trent. I strongly believe that opportunities like this, given at a young age, can help you in the long run, as I’ve found out first hand.

In your opinion why is it important the community is offered free zoo academy placements?

I believe everyone should be given the same opportunities no matter their financial situation. Given the cost-of-living crisis, many people would not be able to afford these experiences which could lead to future careers and pursuing their dreams. 

If I had not been given a place, I would not have been able to afford to go. This opportunity has helped shape my future career aspirations and the path I’m now on. 

Free placements are a real investment into young minds that could help Whipsnade and other conservation zoos in the future.

Why is it important that the zoo sector becomes more inclusive of under represented communities?

Coming from an underrepresented community myself, I understand how careers with animals can be deemed an alternative job and culturally are not always widely accepted. Creating these opportunities allows for diverse communities to understand animals and create better relationships.

It also helps to reduce fear and stigmatisation. Furthermore, being a black ethnic minority from a single parent household I would never have had this opportunity had it not been offered to me as a funded placement.