Hadlow College students turned conservationists recently as they learned about some of the world’s most endangered animals as Big Cat Week returned to the College.
Animal Management students took part in the three-day workshop with Smarden based Big Cat Sanctuary. The event culminated in them choosing a species of wild cat that is under threat and presenting their own proposals to fellow students and staff, explaining how they would protect the animal.
As an incentive, the students who were judged to have the best presentations each won a private tour of the Big Cat Sanctuary.
Aside from learning more about some of the world’s most threatened big cats, the students explored the work the Big Cat Sanctuary does and developed many skills that are needed when entering the workforce, including research, presentation and communication skills.
Jo Saunders, Head of Curriculum for Animal Management at Hadlow College, was delighted with the response to the event, saying: “This year has undoubtedly been one of the best for Big Cat Week. The students have embraced every moment, every time I pass by, they’re eager to share how much fun they’re having! It’s been truly rewarding to see them develop such a diverse set of skills in animal conservation and campaign creation. The highlight, without a doubt, was the final presentations, which for many, marked a major personal accomplishment.”
Gill Garbo, Education and Sustainability Officer for The Big Cat Sanctuary, added: “I was delighted to return for a third year of the Conserve to Preserve Project with Hadlow College, and once again, it was a fantastic experience. Even in its third year, we saw fresh creativity and innovative ideas from the students, showcasing their passion for conservation and their ability to think critically about real-world challenges.”
“There were some incredibly impactful, engaging, and even amusing social media campaigns, demonstrating their understanding of how to connect with audiences in creative ways. Their teamwork, research, and presentation skills were truly impressive, and it was inspiring to see how they continue to push the project forward each year. I thoroughly enjoyed working with them and look forward to seeing how the project evolves in the future.”
The exciting week was made possible thanks to funding from the Kent and Medway Progression Fund (KMPF), a partnership of higher education providers, colleges, schools and community organisations which delivers outreach activities across Kent and Medway.
Hadlow College’s Animal Management courses mix theory, such as learning about the structure and function of the animal body, along with practical work in a large custom-built animal management unit.
Students are involved in all aspects of husbandry and management from planning animal collections, and designing and maintaining enclosures, to day-to-day animal care within an animal collection set up as a commercial enterprise.
To find out more visit the Animal Management course page on the Hadlow College website.
To learn more about the Big Cat Sanctuary, visit the Big Cat Sanctuary website.