Léa
Bonvallet

Why did you choose to study your course at NTU?

I was looking for a course which would allow me to study captive animals other than pets or production animals, NTU was one of the few that offered a course that fitted exactly what I was looking for!

What do you enjoy most about your course?

I enjoy the balance of practical and theoretical work, and how it teaches us so many varied skills to get us ready for the industry.

How do you find your modules and what have you most enjoyed studying?

I enjoyed most modules I have been doing, they have all taught me new skills and knowledge. But my favourites were modules relating to animal welfare/ husbandry and the relationship between humans and animals, these were areas of interest to me and I particularly enjoyed learning more about these subjects.

What do you think about the facilities available on your course and what do you use the most?

I really enjoy the animal units and the classes we had there in first year, I really enjoyed learning from the animal technicians and being able to practice my knowledge.

What do you think about Brackenhurst Campus? What do you get up to in your spare time?

I love Brackenhurst calm and peaceful atmosphere, in my free time I really enjoy taking walks around the campus and discovering new trails/ places. My friends and I also like to have a coffee break in the Orangery whenever we have time!

What is your top tip for someone considering studying/ living at Brackenhurst Campus?

I would recommend, for people coming to live at Brackenhurst to go and explore what’s around or on the campus, there are a few really good societies like Zoo society, conservation society and plenty of other sports club. There are also a few projects you can sometimes take part in so don’t be afraid to look at what is here!

Have you been involved in any placements, work experience or volunteering as part of your course? If so, what company did you do it for, what was your role/responsibilities and what did you achieve?

As part of my course, I chose to do a placement, I have been to Costa Rica and Italy. In the first one I was a husbandry and zookeeping intern, I was working at Toucan Rescue Ranch, a wildlife rescue centre in the middle of the country. My role was to take care of the permanent resident and lead a group of volunteers.

In Italy, I was a volunteer for Salviamo l’Orso in the Apennines. We were helping taking care of the wildlife reserves and observing wild bears, wolves and deers! We also participated in the management of the human-wildlife conflict by helping local population!

These were very enriching experiences and I have learned a lot of helpful skills like woodworking, camera trapping, species identification and enrichment making!

If you completed a placement, would you recommend completing one and why?

I would absolutely recommend people to complete a placement, I have gained so much confidence and skills by doing these, it was really worth it! I have also made plenty of friends I am still in contact with and made very strong connections with them!

Why would you recommend your course to someone considering studying it?

I would recommend the Zoo Biology course to anyone who wants to make a difference in the animal industry. There is a lot of focus on improving animal welfare, how to understand and observe multiple species as well as our relationship with them. You will learn very helpful skills to bring something to the table!

What are your plans for after the course and how do you feel your course has/ will help you to achieve that goal?

After my degree I would like to work in animal husbandry abroad, especially in rescue centres. My goal is to learn and experience how people from different cultures and countries view local wildlife, in order to understand their struggles and find the best solutions so that people would not have to rely on poaching, deforestation and other means that endanger wildlife, to survive. My course has helped me set goals of standard for animal welfare, while keeping an open mind on how to apply these in different situation. It has also taught me how human-animal interactions are fundamental and that good can still come out of it.