Topic outline

  • We offer tailored courses designed for college and university groups, that provide a unique opportunity for direct contact with some of the world’s leading experts on species conservation. Students can gain a critical understanding of the role zoos play in conservation projects, perfectly illustrated by Durrell's species recovery projects. 

    "the tailor made course dovetailed perfectly with the topics we cover back at college"               Visiting College Tutor 

    What can they learn?

    The content of the course can be varied and bespoke to your needs including;

    • Animal welfare, health and genetics
    • Animal nutrition
    • Animal behaviour
    • Reintroduction biology
    • Habitat restoration
    • Intensive species management
    • Zoo biology

     Our computer lab also enables us to teach techniques like GIS or managing Studbooks.  

    Benefits of learning in a Zoo based Conservation Academy

    behind the scenes birds

    Our taught courses can be complimented with tours of the animal and veterinary departments. Students can learn from the expert keeping staff and vets, what it takes to care for and breed endangered species. Students can also develop their behavioural research skills using our unique collection of animals. Students have the unique opportunity to view conservation in action, by getting out into the field and visiting one of our local reintroduction programmes.

    Booking information

    These custom-made courses can be run throughout the year on request by university and college lecturers. Courses can be as short as 2 days or as long as 2 weeks, depending on availability. Our facilities are also available for teaching by your own staff, interspersed with Durrell lecturers and access to the Zoo.

    We can accommodate up to 30 students in our facilities and onsite accommodation. 

    Please contact us at academy@durrell.org to discuss how we can create a bespoke course for your group.

    Want us to come to you?

    We have tutors with a wide range of specialism, and experience of teaching and running workshops, most recently in Open Standards. Please contact us if you re interested in hiring our tutors to teach in your own facilities.

    Or perhaps an online course from Durrell Conservation Academy would suit your needs; please see our Current Courses area to find out more about upcoming online courses.



    • The video was filmed by Leeds University Global Conservation Science MSc student Benedict Wilson on his class fieldtrip to train with Durrell Conservation Academy in 2022. He highlights some of the activities and topics that we cover in our bespoke University and College Courses.