Keeper attends elephant school

THE head keeper at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm has gone back to school in preparation for the arrival of elephants at the Wraxall attraction.

The zoo farm plans to create a 20-acre Elephant Eden complex for a group of Asian elephants, which will include a heated house, extensive sand yards and an indoor swimming pool.

To prepare for their arrival, head keeper Chris Wilkinson travelled to Germany to get to grips with the animals at the first European elephant management school in Hamburg.

From theoretical study of elephant biology and behaviour, through to hands-on practical health checks, the school provides a comprehensive training program for zoo keepers from across the globe.