Animal Management Centre upgrade

19th July 2023 – Tags: Animal Management, Animal Studies

Easton College is a step nearer our goal of achieving a zoo license following completion of a major upgrade to the Animal Management Centre.

Enhancements have been made to two exotics rooms and our aquatics room, ensuring students will learn in an environment which reflects the latest facilities and working practices in zoos, aquariums, and the commercial pet sector. 

One of the newly refurbished exotics rooms has been designed to replicate enclosures similar to those in zoos. Picture: David Kirkham.

Exotic room replicates a zoo environment

One exotic room has been re-designed to replicate a zoo environment, with large walk-in enclosures exhibiting a boa constrictor and a water dragon. The enclosures are designed to allow the animals to express their natural behaviours in a naturalistic environment.

The other exotic room has been designed with retail style enclosures to give students the experience of working with species commonly found in the pet industry.

Kairi, a bearded dragon, is one of the exotic animals enjoying the new and improved enclosures at Easton College. Picture: David Kirkham.

Aquatics room designed to house rare fish and corals

The aquatics room is home to a bespoke coral propagation and fish breeding system. The filtration is open and visible to support teaching and demonstrations.

It utilises the latest technology and can simulate the natural environment, including replicating storms. Advanced water quality monitoring systems mean that every component of the system can be monitored remotely and controlled by the touch of a button.

The aquatics room also houses goodeids, an endangered species of freshwater fish, which came to Easton College thanks to our ongoing collaboration with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL).

The next stage of the collaboration will see the rehoming of endangered corals, which will be housed in a new coral propagation system.

Easton College students working in the newly refurbished aquatics room. Picture: David Kirkham.

Ambitious vision for animal management at Easton College

Chris Sturdy, Head of Animal and Equine, Easton College, comments:

This refurbishment is an exciting development for students on our animal management courses, as it ensures they are learning in an environment which mirrors the facilities and practices they will find in the industry – be that in zoos, aquariums, or the commercial pet sector.

 

The upgrade to the Animal Management Centre also represents a key milestone towards our aim to secure a zoo license for the college, which would mean our students gaining experience of working with an even greater variety of animals.

 

In addition to these great new facilities, our students continue to benefit from the support of a wide range of organisations that provide work experience opportunities, host student visits, and come into the college to speak with our students.”

Funding for £75,000 of new equipment in the Animal Management Centre came from the Department for Education’s Strategic Development Fund, which helps different English regions respond to key skills needs. The college also put its own funds into the project, paying for the infrastructure work that was needed for the new equipment to be installed.

Find out more about our animal studies courses

Easton College students in one of the new exotics rooms. Picture: David Kirkham.