Zoo Academy (15-17 year olds)

ZSL Zoo Academy is an eight-day course which includes study sessions on different exotic species and more than twenty hours practical experience.

Who are the courses aimed at?

These courses are designed to enable young people to gain practical experience in a zoological collection. Supported by the education and keeping staff, students will complete an evidence portfolio of their work. On completion of the course to a satisfactory level students will receive a certificate and reference statement.

Students will be able to keep their portfolios as evidence of their time at ZSL London Zoo or ZSL Whipsnade Zoo and hopefully use them at future university or college interviews and to aid their career with animals.

Theory sessions

In these sessions we will focus on the animal groups the students will be working alongside during the course, covering elements of anatomy, classification, behaviour, nutrition, handling and restraint. The students will complete written activities to add to their portfolios.

Practical sessions (ZSL London Zoo)

Practical tasks at ZSL London Zoo will include handling invertebrates and reptiles cleaning out the giraffe enclosure, preparing food for a variety of species, making enrichment for carnivores and completing a behaviour study of squirrel monkeys.

Practical sessions (ZSL Whipsnade Zoo)

Practical tasks at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo will include handling invertebrates and reptiles, cleaning out white rhinos, preparing food for a variety of species, making enrichment for carnivores and carrying out a behaviour study of ring-tailed lemurs.

Graduation
On the final day of the course, family and friends of the students are invited to attend ZSL Zoo Academy Graduation. One of our senior animal department staff will present certificates and there will be a short presentation about the course. Two complimentary zoo tickets will be given to each student so that family and friends can gain free entry on the graduation day. Additional friends and family can attend the graduation, but they must pay the full admission price.

2013 Course dates

London APPLICATIONS CLOSED

• Spring term course: 19th January – 23rd March (Saturdays only. Half term break 16th and 23rd February).
• Summer term course: 27th April – 29th June (Saturdays only. Half term break 25th May and 1st June).
• Autumn term course: 28th September – 30th November (Saturdays only. Half term break 26th October and 2rd November).

• Summer holiday course 1: 22nd July – 31st July (weekdays only).
• Summer holiday course 2: 5th – 14th August (weekdays only).
• Summer holiday course 3: 19th – 29th August (weekdays only; no course on bank holiday Monday 26th August).

Whipsnade APPLICATIONS CLOSED

• Spring term course: 19th January – 23rd March (Saturdays only. Half term break 16th and 23rd February).
• Summer term course: 27th April – 29th June (Saturdays only. Half term break 25th May and 1st June)
• Autumn term course: 28th September – 30th November (Saturdays only. Half term break 26th October and 2rd November).

• Summer holiday course 1: 22nd July – 31st July (weekdays only).
• Summer holiday course 2: 5th – 14th August (weekdays only).
• Summer holiday course 3: 19th – 29th August (weekdays only; no course on bank holiday Monday 26th August).

Terms and Conditions

Applications close on Friday 9 November. We aim to acknowledge your application within one week of receipt. Due to limited space on these courses we cannot guarantee that all applicants will be successful. Payment instructions and further details will be provided to successful applicants by email. Once payment has been taken, refunds cannot be given.

Frequently asked questions