A week-long animal management programme for young people aged 13 to 18, featuring practical activities, lectures and animal encounters at Dartmoor Zoo.
Dartmoor Zoo is running its Rangers Academy this August, a week-long animal management programme for 13 to 18 year olds. It's a full-on commitment: Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, so it's a proper week of work rather than a few sessions here and there. There are two intakes running back-to-back — 3 to 7 August and 10 to 14 August — and both are already sold out, though you can still pick specific dates when you book.
The week is built around practical activities, lectures and animal encounters, all delivered by the zoo's education team. The idea is to give you a range of new skills in animal management, and because the intakes are kept small — no more than 12 students per course — everyone gets to work closely with the animals in the zoo's collection. It's hands-on, not just watching from the side.
At the end of the week, you walk away with two things: a certificate of achievement and an individual reference from the zoo management, which is a handy addition if you're looking to build a CV or apply for something animal-related later on.
Every week we pick 🏆 the 5 best 🏆 things to do in Plymouth and send them to your inbox. Just one weekly email, no spam.
By submitting your email, you accept our Privacy Policy
It runs at Dartmoor Zoo in Sparkwell, Plymouth, PL7 5DG. Bookings are non-refundable, but if you can't make it, you can move your place to another date — unless the zoo has to close for extreme weather. If you've got a teenager at home who's always talking about animals, this is a good way to see if they actually enjoy the practical side of it.
