by Alex Claridge

aclaridge@thekmgroup.co.uk

Students from Canterbury College have improved the quality of life for exotic animals at Howletts Wild Animal Park in Bekesbourne.

They built a hanging shelter for baboons, created a feeding station for anteaters and added toys and scratching posts to the African wild dog enclosure.

The students, who are on the HND and BSc animal science courses, then watched as the animals returned to their homes.

Mark Kingston Jones, the education co-ordinator at Howletts, said: “We were pleased to welcome Canterbury College students back for the second year running to take part in our student environmental enrichment courses. “We teach skills and techniques to improve animal welfare that will benefit individuals interested in becoming keepers.
“The students did a great job taking all they had learned over the three-and-a-half day course and implementing it for our animals on the final day.”

Canterbury College’s animal science co-ordinator Maureen Collins believes the students benefitted hugely from their time at Howletts.

She said: “This activity enhances students’ understanding of animal welfare and behaviour, and also improved their practical ability.

“Canterbury College’s relationship with Howletts and Port Lympne has grown over the past few years, and many students who want a career in this industry have been offered volunteering opportunities at the wildlife parks.”

Visit www.canterburycollege.ac.uk/animal to find out more about the animal science course.