Specialist Degree Expert Lecturers | University Centre Sparsholt

Shelby Brereton

Curriculum Leader – Zoo Animal Studies

From my start in the world-famous San Diego Zoo & Wild Animal Park, a spark of passion to engage with others about the incredible animals around us was born. My journey led me to work in wildlife rehabilitation, zookeeping and even with wildlife in Hawai’i.

I was fortunate to have many roles throughout my career, as being both a volunteer and in paid positions. Eventually I made my way to ZSL London Zoo and the Royal Veterinary College to study my MSc in Wild Animal Biology.

I strive to inspire the next generation of zoo professionals to keep moving forward, continue their own personal development and never lose sight of the wonders of the natural world.

Angela Potter

Head of Wildlife, West Midland Safari Park

At West Midland Safari Park, we value the DMZAA above all other qualifications. As an internationally recognised course within the Zoo industry we find it designed specifically for our keepers and relevant in their day to day roles.

Kasha Carter

Head of Carnivores West Midlands Safari Park and DMZAA Alumni

The DMZAA is a great course for people like myself who don’t necessarily have a University degree under their belt, but still want to progress in the Zoo industry. Once achieving this diploma along with my growing experience, I could step into a Senior role confidently and be a proud role model to new keepers coming into the field.

Douglas Richardson

BIAZA Vice-Chair - Zoological Consultant

Having been one of the individuals that pushed ABWAK and subsequently the Zoo Federation, now BIAZA, to establish a formal zoo keepers’ training course back in the late 1970s, zoo keeper and aquarist training has always been a subject that has been close to my heart. I qualified myself back in the mid-1980s and now I teach part of the course, focusing on welfare and ethics, and so I have an enormous sense of pride in the small role I have played and seen the early version of the zoo animal management course evolve into DMZAA, a course that is used not just in the UK and Ireland, but in some rather more remote parts of the world.

Lawrence Mutasa

DMZAAA Student at Al Ain Zoo, UAE

I chose to study this course because it is offered by Sparsholt in partnership with BIAZA and The National Zoo Academy, and that alone reassures me that after completing the course I will be competent.

Jo Diston

Qualified Keeper at Wild Place Project

The DMZAA qualification has given me an insight into the different aspects of zoo keeping and has helped me learn, research and write assignments into the variety of species that are available on the course.

I enjoyed being able to meet new people from the zoo community which I have kept in contact with and to share my experiences with. I also had lots of support throughout the course and felt I could ask questions all the way through.

Liz Ball

Registrar’s Assistant & Records Coordinator for Chester Zoo

Liz is the Registrar’s Assistant & Records Coordinator for Chester Zoo, with 11 years of Animal Transfers and Records experience. Since finishing her degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare in 2006, she has worked at Chester Zoo in a variety of Departments, including Living Collections, Education and Guest Experience. Liz now focuses on coordinating Chester’s large number of annual animal transfers, and the legislation that goes with them, coordinating Chester’s ZIMS records and supporting a number of Studbook Keepers, sitting on both the BIAZA and EAZA Records Working Groups, of which she is currently Co-Chair of the BIAZA Records Group, providing support for records keeping and legislation.

Alongside this, she is currently the North-West Regional Co-ordinator for the Sparsholt College/BIAZA Diploma in Management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals (DMZAA), supporting Zoo employees across the North-West Region during their academic studies, and delivering the Zoo Legislation and Records lectures.

Rebecca Moore

Regional Coordinator for East Anglia

Rebecca Moore has worked at Colchester Zoo since 2004, and was made Zoo Director in 2011. She has worked at Sparsholt since 2011 as a year 1 assessor, since 2014 as the Regional Coordinator for the East Anglia region, and since 2021 as a year 2 assessor for unit 33.

Amy Bye

Regional Coordinator for South west and South Wales

Amy Bye joined the DMZAA team in 2009 as an assessor, then stepped into the coordinator role for the South west and South Wales in 2020. Amy has a background in zoological education, spending 15 years at Bristol Zoo as an Education Officer. Alongside her role as a DMZAA coordinator, Amy works in a college local to her, lecturing Level 3 Animal Management.

Callum Gibson

Regional Coordinator for Scotland

‘I have worked in the zoo industry as a zookeeper for eight years now, over this time I have worked with a range of different taxa with my focus being on primate species. In my current role I am involved in facilitating cognitive primate research and communicating its role in the welfare and care of zoo housed primates.

Research in zoos is an area I am particularly passionate about due to its huge importance in enabling us to provide the best care to the species we look after as well as promoting how incredibly complex and diverse each species is. The DMZAA is a fantastic course, helping to ensure the next generation of zookeepers is being trained and developed to a high standard, as a regional coordinator I love being able to help new individuals in the industry further their knowledge in the field they love.’

Hayley Machen

Sparsholt Regional Coordinator

“I am the South-Central region co-ordinator for the DMZAA and CMZAAV courses at Sparsholt College. Using 10 years’ experience as a zookeeper at Chester Zoo and a recently accredited master’s in animal behaviour, I support and guide students through their two years on the course. I help students with a breadth of zoo industry and academic knowledge, including assistance with academic skills for assignments, research project ideas or even chatting through future career options.

What excites me about the role is that I get to engage with wonderfully passionate people, whether they have been in industry for a long time or just starting out, and it is a pleasure to hear about their experiences and help them along their way. I also enjoy how varied the work is, once day I am having tutorials with current students, the next I’m chatting with new potential recruits! I believe the course is a great way to gain an industry recognised and standardised qualification in zookeeping, where you are not only progressing your career but also gaining theoretical and practical knowledge, to help you improve the animal welfare of the zoo animals you work with.”

Tamara Canalejas Romera

Aquatics Assessor

“As the Curator of Ectotherms at Bristol Zoo Project, my journey into animal care actually began as a volunteer at Bristol Aquarium. I started by helping out in various roles, from serving snacks at the café to assisting in the fish rooms, where I immersed myself in aquatic life. As I progressed to become an aquarist, I pursued further education by enrolling in DMZAA while also working as a senior keeper at Bristol Zoo. Through hands-on experience, I discovered my passion for ectotherms and gained valuable insights into enclosure design, nutrition, and conservation. This journey eventually led to my appointment as Curator of Ectotherms—a dream come true for me. Additionally, I actively participate in the BIAZA Aquarium Working Group and the BIAZA Life Support Systems Working Group, further enriching my involvement in the field.

I am excited about my role as an aquatic assessor because it offers me the opportunity to mentor future zookeepers and aquarists on their journey through completing DMZAA. Despite the inevitable challenges they may face, I am eager to support them with perseverance and a passion for learning. Each step forward brings us closer to fulfilling our dreams in the exciting world of zookeeping and conservation!”

Rich Fraser

Elephants Assessor

“My name is Rich Fraser and I have been part of the elephant programme at Chester Zoo for the last 17 years, becoming team manager in 2019, and leading a team of highly skilled and dedicated elephant conservationists.

After participating in a 12 month work placement at Chester Zoo in 2006, I graduated Liverpool John Moores University with a BSc Zoology degree in 2008 and have since been part of the ever evolving elephant programme at Chester Zoo.

Throughout my time here I have gained an extensive knowledge of modern elephant management, with particular experience in the screening and treatment of EEHV. I have always been a keen and active member of the BIAZA Elephant sub-group, and took on the position as Chair of the group in 2021.

Taking on this role on the assessment team for the DMZAA is very exciting as it gives me a great opportunity to support the development of modern zookeepers beyond my own team at Chester Zoo.”

Daniel

Current DMZAA Student - Scottish Deer Centre

“The DMZAA course has helped me see animal keeping through a broader and more scientific lens. My highlight so far has been the residential week, where I met and learned from influential figures in the zoo industry, along with other animal keepers in a similar stage of their careers.

The units inspire and encourage you to consider every facet of zookeeping, such as how you as a keeper can contribute to research, education, enrichment and animal training in your zoo. There’s help if you need it, but the course is also flexible so that you can complete it in your own time.

My favourite unit so far has been the Research unit, which tasks you with observing your animals and recording their behaviours for a scientific study. This helps you learn to objectively observe animal behaviour, which in turn can help a keeper identify and solve problems, or identify effective husbandry practises, to maximise welfare.”

National Zoo Academy – Testimonials