College partnership continues

A partnership between DZG and Dudley College’s Animal Care and Management students is continuing to go from strength to strength.

The initiative, which has been running for the last two years, involves 80 college students spending four-week placements on site working alongside Dudley Zoo keepers and Education staff throughout a six month period.

The latest recruits have recently started work where they will be learning first hand what it takes to be a Zoo Keeper working on the Farm, Birds, Ungulates, Primates and Education sections on a rotation basis.

Presenter Caroline Howard, said: “It is a great opportunity for the students to get invaluable hands on experience with some of the world’s rarest animals.

“They are being kept busy cleaning and preparing food, as well as learning about animal diets, enclosure design and enrichment.

“We were the first zoo to form such a programme with a neighbouring college and so far it has proved to be a great success, even prompting some of the students to take up a career in zoo keeping.”