Three Month Staff Training

Many zoos around the world are now getting into public educational demonstrations sometimes called bird shows. On a personal note I have to say that not many of them are very good, which is a shame. It is not rocket science to put on a good demonstration, and it is not anything other than sensible to house and maintain your working birds to the highest standards as it is often them that bring the public in. It should also be remembered by British zoos that there are standards which are legal requirements, such as enclosures to rest and moult birds.

To that end we are offering a three month bird of prey demonstration course. Over that period of time the trainee should learn enough to train some of the easier birds, the best housing and husbandry, how to give a decent commentary that is interesting and informative without being boring or denigrating the birds. How to bring on new staff and volunteers, and how to build a good demonstration, including planning the right birds for the area, and giving them enough rest periods to be in first class feather condition. How to travel birds safely both on and off site. Use of telemetry – which should be mandatory, and finding lost birds.

The trainee will work as a part of the bird team, so that as well as individual training, he or she will be a part of the day to day work involved in keeping and training birds of prey and owls and giving demonstrations.
He or she will self assess and also complete a useful written project over the three month period, which could be special educational signage, in situ conservation projects, risk assessments and so on.
The trainee will be assessed by the staff and director on a weekly basis and a final report will be given to the employer at the end of the course.