Derby College Group animal care students head to Kefalonia for turtle conservation project

(Credit: DCG)

A group of Level 3 Animal Management students from Derby College Group are on their way to the Greek island of Kefalonia to take part in a turtle conservation project.

The 22 students, supervised by Animal Care staff Hazelle Ward and Sam, will showcase their conservation skills and their commitment to protecting the world’s ecosystems, all while soaking up plenty of sunshine along the way, something they are very excited about.

While on the island, the students will take part in a range of hands on activities, including nesting surveys, behaviour studies and sea grass monitoring.

The Level 3 Animal Management course at Derby College Group, delivered at Broomfield Hall, gives students a thorough grounding in animal husbandry, welfare, and conservation, combining classroom learning with practical, real world experience. The course prepares students for careers across the animal care sector, from conservation and zookeeping to veterinary support and wildlife management.

The conservation and welfare of animals and wildlife is a huge priority for Broomfield Hall College and is reflected throughout the whole group. Opportunities such as this trip to Kefalonia are perfect for students to gain real-world experience and make a genuine difference, while seeing first hand the impact of the skills they are learning.

Samantha Smith, Head of Animal Sciences at Derby College Group, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to put their skills into practice on a real conservation project. Trips like this help bring their studies to life and show them the difference they can make in protecting wildlife and ecosystems for the future.”

Hazelle Ward, Teacher of Animal Care, said: “Here’s wishing them all the best; we hope they enjoy themselves, and more importantly, take a lot from it.”