Best zookeeper/animal experiences for 14 year old?

[SofiYol]

Hello

My son would absolutely love to be a zookeeper for the day, but everything I’ve found is for 18 years old or above. I assume this is for safety and insurance purposes.

I have seen some junior keeper experiences but he has done similar before. They seem to include smaller animals and I know he would rather get closer to bigger animals such as elephants/giraffes etc. He actually wants to be a zoologist when he’s older so it would be a dream for him.

Does anyone have any recommendations? Am I missing any zoos that might offer a really good experience for his age? Happy to travel anywhere in the Uk and make a little break of it if necessary.

I think you will find it hard to find somewhere at 14 due to insurance etc, but there may be some that allow an U18 if there is an 18+ also paying and present and supervising.

My DD did this a couple of times https://newforestwildlifepark.co.uk/experiences-gifts/keeper-experiences/
which included feeding a Bison (from the other side of a fence).

Jersey zoo has some experiences with larger animals that children can do if accompanied by also paying adult https://www.durrell.org/visit-jersey-zoo/plan-your-visit/animal-experiences/

@TeenDivided They’re really helpful links thank you!

Yorkshire Wildlife Park has the Ranger School

https://www.yorkshirewildlifepark.com/school-trips-educational-visits/ywp-ranger-academy/

If he’s keen on animals, Steve Backshall is currently touring with a show called Oceans. Maybe worth considering (I enjoyed it),

Port Lympne in Kent - both of my children have done the junior ranger tours there and they got to feed rhino, giraffe (one lions, the other wolves), gorillas and go on safari. The keepers are amazing and the accommodation should you want to stay over is outstanding. As adults we have also hand feed the lions and the gorillas. They did the 8-12 yr old experience but they also have a 13-17 yr experience which we haven't done but I imagine more in depth and suitable for what you're looking for. I cannot recommend them highly enough.

https://www.national-aquarium.co.uk/events/ocean-squad-with-the-ocean-conservation-trust/

My children did a week long Ocean Squad course at the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth in the summer. They had the most amazing time! Among other things they got to make food for Friday the turtle & fed him, dissecting a squid, snorkelling, sea kayaking & visiting a plastics recycling centre. They run day & week long events although I expect the snorkelling is probably only May half term/Summer. They also gave them a free pass to go back to the aquarium which is valid for a year. It's a fabulous aquarium with a focus on conservation.

Oh thank you all so much, there’s some really brilliant ideas here for places I haven’t even heard of!

Also re the above, I forgot to say that we went the same week the National Firework Championships were on up on the Hoe, which was a really fun night out with fairground rides, food stalls & great fireworks displays over the sea by professional companies - be sure to get there early to secure the best view!

I saw an advert for one of these schemes at Whipsnade Zoo recently.

I came on to say the Yorkshire wildlife park aswell, they do a lot to support youngsters and their school is meant to be brilliant

My daughter did a zoo keeper day at Dartmoor Zoological Park near Plymouth quite a few years ago now. She was able to clean out the enclosure and feed a smaller animal but I also have a picture of her stood next to a tiger so close if she put her hand out she could touch it, obviously there was a cage in the way because it looks like it wants to eat her 😆

They also do a week longer rangers course. The 6-12 year olds is 3 days and the 13-18 year olds is 5 days which looks really good. My daughter wants to work with animals so I was thinking of signing her up to it.

www.dartmoorzoo.org.uk/experiences/

Don't know where you are but Hopwood Hall College nr Manchester does Animal Academy in school hols. This year was in the school holidays. It's a week around May and 2 separate weeks in August. My daughter was dealing with ponies, reptiles, rabbits, alpacas, goats etc. The scarier stuff e.g. spiders, snakes is handled by the staff but my daughter was touching snakes etc. Was 120 pounds for the week. 9-3

My dd did a junior experience at Howletts. Was a lot of fun. I’ve also done the adult one. Amazing.

These are all brilliant thank you, I’ve been reading up on every single suggestion tonight!

I’ve gone from feeling a bit hopeless about it to having loads of options. We are midlands based so easy access to quite a few of those recommended but happy to book a premier inn and travel pretty much anywhere to be honest.

I did one at Colchester Zoo which was excellent, and I think it's 14+. Many years ago, but it was good. Both my kids have more recently done experiences at Cotswold Wildlife Park, near Burford. They've got different options for different ages, and it's a really lovely zoo.

Second Yorkshire Wildlife Park. There is a hotel at the entrance if you are travelling a long way.