Exciting new developments at Cirencester College continue to flourish, with construction works for an extension of the College’s existing Animal Centre underway.
This development will see bespoke zoo-style enclosures added to the Animal Care and Management facilities on the College campus, which will comprise: two aviaries, an open-top enclosure, two mammal enclosures with climbing zones for arboreal species, a new isolation and food prep unit, and multiple goat areas.
The extension of the Animal Centre will allow for a variety of new species to be added to the College’s animal collection, providing T-level Animal Care and Management students the opportunity to gain experience working with zoo-type species and hoof stock. Working with such species will also support a number of units on their course, including biosecurity, legislation, enclosure design, and animal behaviour and enrichment.
The extension, which is due for completion in April 2025, is being built by Cambrian Civil Engineering and Zoological Fabrications.
Cambrian Civil Engineering are delivering the first phase of the project. Christian Chambers, General Manager, said “Cambrian Civil Engineering are honoured to have been awarded this scheme and feel privileged to have the opportunity to work with Cirencester College to deliver the new Zoo area.”
Asia Surplice, Animal Centre Manager at Cirencester College, said “The Animal Care and Management team are incredibly excited about the development of the Animal Centre, which will introduce so many opportunities for our students. We would like to thank Cambrian Civil Engineering and Zoological Fabrications for carrying out the building and development of our mini zoo. The team have been working really hard over the past 18 months planning these areas and we are certain the students will love working in them!”
Abbie Organ, Course Team Leader for T-level Animal Care and Management, said “This is an incredibly exciting project and will be a huge asset to our learners at the College. With the introduction of the Animal Care and Management T-level and our T-level Foundation Year programme at the College this year we have been keen to ensure that our facilities provide a real-world work environment for our learners and this new development will do just that; learners will be able to work with zoo-type animals and structures, they will have access to livestock to develop experience in a small holding environment in addition to our already existing facilities with exotics and commonly kept domestic species. This is such a positive development in our department, and we are so proud of the huge benefit this will have to our learners going forward.”
For more information on this story please contact chloe.suter@cirencester.ac.uk
