UNIQUE EDUCATIONAL COURSE LAUNCHED FOR SUMMER HOLIDAYS
….Work with creatures great and small…. ....Journalist taster sessions available....
A unique educational programme aimed at 15-17 year olds who are interested in working with animals is being held at Blackpool Zoo throughout the summer holidays. The course covers basic animal theory and includes practical, hands on tasks and experience with a whole host of animals. From reptiles to birds, small mammals to large primates and big cats to elephants, almost every aspect of the animal kingdom is covered. Throughout the course students complete an evidence portfolio with the help of the education team at the zoo, which can be used to enhance applications to college and university courses or jobs. The holiday programme is being introduced for the first time after the huge success of weekend courses that run to the same curriculum. Sarah Thomas, Education Manager at Blackpool Zoo, said: “We wanted to offer young people who are interested in an animal related career the chance to gain a real understanding of some of the fundamentals of working with creatures of all different sizes. “Everyone that has taken part in the weekend courses has thoroughly enjoyed their time at the zoo and we even had one young lady who initially wanted to be a police dog handler and now wants to be a zoo keeper! “The Zoo Keeper Academy was launched after we had repeated requests from students to do work experience at the zoo as they wanted to work with animals when they finished college or university.” Courses run from for 10 days from Monday to Friday from 10.00am to 3.30pm and cost £300 per person. Confirmed dates for summer 2010 Monday 26th July – Friday 6th August Monday 9th August – Friday 20th August Monday 23rd August – Friday 3rd September For an application form please email zoo.school@blackpoolzoo.org.uk or call Sarah Thomas, Education Manager on 01253 830805. -ends- Notes to Editors: Taster days / sessions Journalists are welcome to attend taster days / sessions at Blackpool Zoo at any time up to and including the summer holidays. Please email paula@icgonline.co.uk to arrange. Pictures: Attached pictures show Zoo Keeper Academy graduate Will Bell taking part in the term time weekend course. • Blackpool Zoo is owned by Parques Reunidos, the second largest European leisure parks operator and a leading world wide player. • Blackpool Zoo is home to over 1,500 mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates set amidst thirty-two acres of mature woodland and lakes. The zoo’s signature animals include elephants, giraffes, big cats, gorillas, orangutans, sea lions, primates, zebras and kangaroos. • Blackpool Zoo is open every day from 10am. Blackpool Zoo, East Park Drive, Blackpool, FY3 8PP. Tel: 01253 830830. For further information please contact: Paula Holden, Julie Hackett or Denise Dawson at ICG on 01772 679383, paula@icgonline.co.uk, julie@icgonline.co.uk or denise@icgonline.co.uk.
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