Your Guide to Our Most Popular Wildlife Courses 

Working with animals is the ultimate dream career for many. By navigating your way through this sector, you could help care for and protect the world’s fascinating creatures. From focusing on the welfare of domesticated animals on British shores to contributing to conservation efforts in Africa, there are plenty of career opportunities across the animal care spectrum, and you can start your journey by studying wildlife courses. 

Do you have a particular passion for wild animals and the careers associated with dominant species in the animal kingdom? Well, we here at Animal Courses Direct can steer you towards an exhilarating and important career. Below, we have put together a guide to our most popular wildlife courses. 

So, if you are keen to work with wild animals but are unsure of what road to take, keep reading to discover your passion! 

Why Do We Care About Wild Animals? 

Before we delve into the various wildlife diploma courses you can take, you firstly need to understand why education is important when it comes to protecting wild animals and general wildlife. Our natural world is made up of wonderful creatures and habitats, and the importance of them cannot be understated. 

Wild animals do not just navigate their own lives while on this earth, but they also help maintain ecosystems that we rely on. Every single organism contributes to the health of our ecosystem, but sadly, many species are becoming endangered due to poaching, trafficking, and the effects of climate change. 

To protect these beautiful wild animals, and in turn, protect our planet, there are plenty of initiatives and organisations that do important conservation work and provide essential animal care. For these systems to work, you need a team of volunteers and professionals across various sectors. This is when wildlife courses come into the mix! 

With Animal Courses Direct, you can study your way towards a rewarding career, protecting the world’s wildlife. 

Explore Our Popular Wildlife Training Courses, UK Residents! 

We specialise in a range of animal care courses, and among our extensive portfolio are environment and wildlife courses. If you are considering a career change and would love to work with wild animals in UK and beyond, then consider enrolling on one of our wildlife diploma courses. Below, we have picked out a handful of our most popular courses. 

Zookeeping 

When most people think about wild animals, their minds automatically fixate on zoos. A zoo is not only a place where people can visit to get educated on the world’s fascinating species, but it is also a space that helps with conservation efforts. 

If you would love to be in the hustle and bustle of working in a zoo, then consider becoming a Zookeeper. With our Level 3 Diploma in Zookeeping course, you will learn everything you need to know to pursue a role within your favourite zoo. During your studies you will explore various topics, including animal welfare and ethics, zoo conservation, and zoo design. 

All of these skills will help you in your pursuit of becoming a Zookeeper. You will benefit from studying each module online from the comfort of your own home. The course also includes 1 week of practical training at one of the following participating zoos: 
 

• Dartmoor Zoo 
• Blackpool Zoo 
• Colchester Zoo 
• Jimmy’s Farm and Wildlife Park 
• West Midlands Safari Park 

You will gain first-hand experience of working in a zoo, giving you a taste of how to be a Zookeeper. Once you have completed your training and a series of online assessments, you will have your Level 3 Diploma, which can be used to apply for jobs in a zoo or propel you on to further study. 

A Zookeeper job description is varied, but essentially, you will be responsible for: 
 

• Observing animals to check for signs of distress or illness 
• Preparing food for the animals and keeping their environments clean 
• Maintaining daily records of animal feeding habits and behaviour 
• Helping raise young animals 
• Working closely with veterinarian professionals 

Big Cats 

Among our offering of wildlife courses is Level 3 Award in Carnivore Studies: Big Cats. This course is delivered entirely online, and it presents an opportunity for anyone who wants to work in the protection, care, and conservation of big cat species, such as lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, and snow leopards. 

Our big cat courses, UK learners, provide you with essential information about the evolution, biology, and behaviour of these carnivore predators. You will have the freedom to complete the course at your own pace, around your existing commitments. Our wildlife courses are broken down into numerous modules, with this big cats course exploring the following units: 
 

• The Diversity of Carnivores: Big Cats 
• The Principles of Carnivore Care and Conservation: Big Cats 

Once you have successfully completed the course, you will be in a strong position to progress on to higher level study, a volunteering position, practical occupational training, or a role that caters to the care, welfare, and conservation of the world’s big cats. In fact, some of the careers working with big cats include: 
 

• Big Cat Photographer 
• Exotic Animal Veterinarian 
• Big Cat Keeper 
• Zoologist 
• Big Cat Educator 

Birds of Prey 

Within the animal kingdom are birds of prey, made up of a variety of species, which are found all over the world. If you are captivated by these mesmerising and powerful creatures, then you can build upon your knowledge by enrolling on our Level 3 Award in Birds of Prey Studies course.  

Whether you have ambitions of working in a role that helps protect British birds of prey or you just want to enhance your existing knowledge, then this is an ideal wildlife course. You will explore an array of topics, from common diseases and basic welfare to emergency care and rehabilitation processes. 

As part of your studies of large and small birds of prey, you will experience a day of practical training with Wye Valley Falconry in Herefordshire. During your training, you will get hands-on experience with various types of birds of prey, and you will learn about the following: 
 

• Diet 
• Health 
• Housing 
• Exercise and enrichment 
• Welfare 
• Law 

You will also learn how a lost bird can be tracked through the use of radio telemetry, as well as how a bird of prey can be safely transported should it require medical attention. 



Elephant Studies 
Elephants are one of the most impressive and intelligent animals in the world, and now you can become an expert in these wonderful specimens by enrolling on our Level 3 Award in Elephant Studies course. 

You will gain a solid understanding of the evolutionary stages of elephants, as well as the biological, ecological, and behavioural developments of these animals. The course is split into two units, with one section focusing on the principles of caring for elephants in captivity and how conservation efforts are being used to protect elephants. 

This course is entirely online, so you can study the modules in your own time and at a pace that fits around your lifestyle. With this qualification, you could go on to pursue various careers working with elephants, such as: 
 

• Zookeeper 
• Wildlife Biologist 
• Conservation Officer 

Please note that some careers may require you to have additional qualifications, so make sure you do your research before embarking on your career journey. 

Zoology 

If you are seeking wildlife courses that will help you make a significant difference to the conservation of the natural world, then our Level 3 Diploma in Zoology is the perfect place to start. The zoology definition is extensive as it spans over many elements, including biology, psychology, and environmental science. 

Essentially, zoology helps you understand how to care for and conserve animal life. Our diploma covers a wealth of important topics, including the following:
 

• Origin of Life and Evolutionary Theory
• Animal Diversity 
• Mammals 
• Animal Form and Function 
• Finding Food 
• Reproduction 
• Animals and their Environments 

As well as developing a foundation of knowledge that can springboard you towards higher level study, our online zoology courses give you the added benefit of studying from home and at a time that suits you.  

You can learn around your existing commitments, and you can achieve your diploma without having to do an exam! Instead, you will be tasked with a series of assignments based on the topics studied. With this qualification, you can kickstart your journey towards a range of roles within the wildlife and conservation sector. 

We Also Specialise in Conservation 

For those of you who are keen to develop your knowledge of wildlife conservation, then we offer a range of Wildlife conservation courses online. With the qualifications and knowledge you gain, you could go on to study a wildlife conservation degree and pursue wildlife conservation jobs. Among our course selection are the following: 
 

• British Wildlife Studies 
• Ecological and Conservation Principles 
• The Effects of Plastics on Marine Wildlife 
• Issues and Challenges Affecting African Wildlife 

Enrol On Your Chosen Wildlife Course Today! 

So, do you feel inspired to take on wildlife training courses? UK residents have an opportunity to explore various aspects of wildlife, ranging from the protection of big cats to the role of a Zookeeper. To educate yourself about our planet’s amazing creatures or pursue a career in the wildlife sector, give our team a call on 01202 006 040 or contact us online. Alternatively, click below to discover our wildlife courses!