The Advanced Ranger Academy is designed for students completing their DofE Gold Residential, exploring animal-based careers, or seeking veterinary work experience.

Students gain exclusive, hands-on experience, including behind-the-scenes access and opportunities to work with the Yorkshire Wildlife Park veterinary surgeon and animal care teams.

What’s involved:

– practical experiences with the YWP staff team across all animal sections
– getting up close and personal with a range of animals
– behind-the-scenes with the vet team and animal manager
– animal enrichment workshops
– animal training and behaviour workshops
– presentations on the ‘Wild Live’ stage
– graduation ceremony

What’s included:

– accommodation and all meals
– transport from and to Winchester (if required)
– all transfers to and from the zoo
– 2 free tickets for friends/family worth £60. This is to watch the graduation ceremony on Friday; this includes the opportunity to spend the rest of the day at the zoo for free
– theory-based tasks and practical zoo experience, with a focus on key transferable skills
– a portfolio of evidence and written reference from the zoo stating your hours of work experience for animal/vet related applications