Bridgwater College Level 3 Animal Management students have recently toured around some of the best zoos in the country.

48 students from across the College’s three Land-based Centres, Cannington, Paignton and Yeovil, took part in the annual zoo study tour, with students particularly excited to visit the brand new “Islands” exhibit at Chester Zoo that opened in July this year.

They were also tasked with studying the environments in which the animals were housed. Students also visited West Midland Safari Park, Welsh Mountain Zoo and Slimbridge Wildlife and Wetland Centre to assist with assessments in the zoological animal health and husbandry unit.

Steve Kemmery, Course Leader for Animal Care and Equine said,

“This was a unique opportunity for the students to get a wide range of experience of different collections which vary in size, variety, purpose and budget. We were able to extend the study tour this year to fit in two days at Chester, which allowed us to see the brand new “islands” exhibit, this gave the students the opportunity to study a majority of the enclosures.”

Student, Alison Mudge from the College’s Cannington Centre said,

“Chester zoo was amazing! It was my favourite zoo was because all the enclosures were designed to exactly resemble the animal’s natural habitat, it felt like you were there, and has given me loads of ideas for my assignment!”