Keeper Academy
Providing the practical experience to pursue a career with animals
Our Keeper Academy is a course for young people aged 15-17 years old (school years 10, 11 and 12). The course will run over 3 days from 10am to 3pm, including theory sessions on working with different exotic species as well as a number of practical sessions to gain experience with a range of zoo animals, including invertebrates, reptiles, primates and large mammals.
The course is designed for those who wish to pursue a career with animals and require practical experience to enhance their application. Those who wish to become vets, vet nurses, zoo keepers or complete other animal-based studies will benefit from this exciting new course.
Supported at all times by our education team, students will be able to gain insight into working within a zoo and receive a certificate of completion.
This price includes a discount card for the shop and café that can be used on course days. On the last day of the course, there is a graduation where participants will receive their certificate.
Dates & Price
Dates: 4th, 5th & 6th August or 11th, 12th & 13th August 2025.
Time: 10am - 3.00pm each day.
Price: £290 per child (includes branded t-shirt). A hoody can be purchased at an additional price.
Maximum of 10 children per date. Places are limited and spaces will fill up fast.
What to expect over the 3 days
- 10am - Meet at the Visitor Services Hub for registration.
- Meet the team and the zoo keepers.
- The roles of a modern zoo.
- Theory sessions, learning about the different species.
- Working with a range of species from birds, mammals, primates, reptiles and invertebrates.
- Get stuck in with some of the mucking out and learn what it takes to look after our animals and what they need.
- Preparing and delivering animal diets.
- Lunch break (lunch is not provided, please bring a packed lunch).
- Design and create some animal enrichment.
- Q&A with the keepers.
- Conservation, research and education.
- End of the day and certificates.
Important Information
- Our Keeper Courses are non-refundable, so please carefully check eligibility and all other terms before you purchase.
- Upon completion of your booking, you will receive a confirmation email with additional details and an agreement form, as this will come from an automatic system, please check the spam folder. If the confirmation email is not received with 10 minutes of booking, please email animal.interactions@blackpoolzoo.org.uk
- Only held on select days, please click on the button below to select a course date.
- Participants must be within the correct school year and age range.
- The participants family and friends will not be able to accompany the students during the day.
- Participants will be supervised by the education team at all times during the course, but they can have unsupervised free time in the zoo if approved by a guardian.
- The programme runs in all weather conditions. We recommend wet weather attire on wet days. Blackpool Zoo reserves the right to cancel the encounter in extreme weather conditions.
- Fitness requirements: Participants will be exploring the zoo each day. For any additional requirements, please enquire with animal.interactions@blackpoolzoo.org.uk prior to booking.
- Clothing requirements: Enclosed flat shoes and sensible clothing suitable for the weather.
- Participants will be required to agree to the programme rules, and a parent or guardian must complete and return a health and safety form prior to the course. The forms can be found linked to the confirmation emails.
- If there are any severe allergies, medical needs or additional information/support we need to be aware of please contact animal.interactions@blackpoolzoo.org.uk prior to booking.
- For terms and conditions, please see here.
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