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Home , Bronze corydoras, Kinkajou, Lemon dove, Lophoceros, Newquay Zoo, Ptilopsis

OFFICIAL GUIDEBOOK 1 1. Tree Shrews INTRODUCTION 2. 2 3. Polecats 4. Room 2 4 5. Kitchen 3 6. Herptile Room 7. Classroom 5 8. Rabbits 9. Kinkajous 1 Marmosets I have always been obsessed by , and of cases it has done just that); women’s football 10. Kinkajou & House by . I believe, unequivocally, with absolute may not receive the attention which is given 2 Meerkats 6 11. African certainty, that we are improved as people if we to that played by men, but our girls team have 3 Polecats 8 12. Squirrel Monkeys have contact with, and appreciation of, animals. It shown that their sport is every bit as important as 13. Ring-tailed Lemurs I is, therefore, the culmination of a personal dream that played by our boys. And the investment and 4 Mammal Room 14. House to see the development of a small zoo at Bede’s. attention we have given to the Legat School has 7 5 Kitchen 15. Dormice allowed many, many girls and boys to flourish in Having a zoo at Bede’s is, I think, the apotheosis 19 ways that would not have been possible at schools 6 Herptile Room 9 16. Chipmunks of what this school is all about. Bede’s is a school where there was no such commitment to dance. 17. which thrives on doing things differently, on 7 Classroom 18. Aviary focusing on things that might not be obvious, and And our school zoo, in which a small but 8 Rabbits 19. Entrance/Exit allowing them to flourish. significant number of pupils study and a greater 10 number come in order to benefit from being able 15 It is important, of course, to get the mainstream 9 Kinkajous to spend time with animals, is the embodiment things right – we wouldn’t be much of a school if of our belief that all pupils should be given the 10 Kinkajou & Bird House our English Department was poor, or our cricket opportunity to find their niche, to find the areas 11 side didn’t take things seriously – but it is 11 African birds in which they can excel, and feel at home. As a 16 equally important to allow the possibly esoteric, school, we are enormously lucky to have such a 12 Squirrel Monkeys the apparently marginal, to flourish. Because, of facility in our midst. 13 Ring-tailed Lemurs course, what is marginal or esoteric to most will be central and fundamental to some. John Tuson 14 Primate House 17 12 For those who undertake Ceramics as a GCSE or A Academic Deputy Head 15 Dormice Level course, for example, their work with clay will 18 16 Chipmunks possibly shape their future lives (and in a number 17 Aviary 14 18 Owls 19 Entrance/Exit 13

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We aim to keep a varied KINKAJOU Why do we keep Squirrel Monkeys? Busy, RING-TAILED LEMUR Why do we keep Tree Shrews? Tree Shrews are Potos flavus intelligent, active – Squirrel Monkeys are excellent fascinating animals, but, lacking showy appeal cross-section of mammal animals to be able to care for, and also to observe. Lemur catta and sometimes elusive, they are not maintained in , providing pupils This South and Central American relative of the Our animals present constant challenge to those The Ring-tailed Lemur is possibly the best-known many zoos. We are proud to be able to keep such an is well-adapted for a life in the trees: it is an who care for them, who must strive to make sure that of all the lemur species. However, despite its unusual species at Bede’s. excellent climber (thanks in large part to its prehensile the monkeys’ life is stimulating and ever-changing. success in captivity, it is struggling in its native with different husbandry Tree Shrews at Bede’s We inherited our original Tree tail) and eats a diet composed mainly of fruit (figs Squirrel Monkeys at Bede’s Our monkeys are an Madagascar, where as few as 2,000 remain in the Shrews – a mother and her daughter – from Drusillas challenges whilst also are a favourite). The Kinkajou is primarily active in all-male group; they came to us in the summer wild. Thus the need to manage a successful zoo Zoo, in 2011. Over the coming months, we intend to the evening, and, in the wild, its time is split between of 2018, from , where they had been population of this species is acute. presenting an attractive and eating, resting and moving from tree to tree. add some birds to the Tree Shrew enclosure. bred and where there was a need to reduce the Why do we keep Ring-tailed Lemurs? Gentle, interesting collection. Why do we keep Kinkajous? Because they are size of the group maintained. They have settled engaging, intelligent – it is no surprise that Ring- beautiful, interesting and charismatic animals, in to their home in Sussex quite brilliantly and are tailed Lemurs are such popular animals in zoos. Our which provide us with various challenges – how constantly active and busy. two sisters no longer got on with the rest of their family Mustela putorius best to keep an which is asleep for much of group at The Wild Place Zoo, near Bristol; we were This widespread animal is found through most of the day? How to stimulate such intelligent animals, COMMON MARMOSET delighted to be able to offer them a home in Sussex. Europe, and as far as south as Morocco. In the keeping them active and engaged? Callithrix jacchus Ring-tailed Lemurs at Bede’s Our lemurs came wild, its favourite foods are frogs and toads – so, Kinkajous at Bede’s Our three Kinkajous – one These small South American are vocal, to us in the summer of 2018. Now that they are not surprisingly, it usually lives close to water. male, two females – came to us from a private active, social creatures. In the UK, they are still established at Bede’s, we hope to bring in further The Polecat is the ancestor of the domestic collection, in 2014. They are quite old animals, and widely held as ‘pets’, often in woefully inadequate animals – either more Ring-tailed Lemurs, or , although these wild animals would so it is unlikely they will breed; however, plentiful conditions. possibly another Madagascan species. certainly not take kindly to be being put down a Yorkshireman’s trousers. environmental enrichment means that they are kept Why do we keep Marmosets? For a number of constantly busy. reasons! Our pair were being kept by an incompetent BELANGER’S TREE SHREW Why do we keep Polecats? Our Polecats are part owner: living in an old-fashioned bird cage, and highly Tupaia belangeri of reintroduction programme, with young animals COMMON SQUIRREL MONKEY obese, they were not in good shape when we received Found throughout south-east Asia, as far north as bred at Bede’s helping to boost the wild population them from a primate sanctuary. Not only did they Saimiri sciureus southern China, the Belanger’s Tree Shrew is part of of these attractive carnivores. need a home, but we needed experience of keeping The large head of this small monkey is indicative a once-misunderstood family. They are not shrews, Polecats at Bede’s We first received a pair of Marmosets, in the hope that in the future we will be of its intelligence: squirrel monkeys are inquisitive, Polecats from Shepreth Wildlife Park in 2014; since able to maintain a rarer species. nor are they squirrels (the name of their family, adaptable animals, which has enabled them to Tupaiidae, comes from the Malay word for squirrel), then, we have bred 10 kits. Our current pair consists of flourish in a variety of environments. Small groups Marmosets at Bede’s Since arriving at Bede’s in nor are they the “primitive primates” they were once a male who was born in 2016, and a female who was have established themselves in Florida – a long 2019, our pair of Marmosets have lost weight, become considered to be. And they don’t really live in trees. caught in a farmer’s trap, before being rescued. way from their natural home, in the Amazon Basin. a great deal more active and look to be enjoying life.

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MAMMALS

We are also able to SIBERIAN CHIPMUNK insurance adverts, have cemented their place in the HAZEL DORMOUSE DOMESTIC RABBIT Eutamias sibiricus public’s affection. participate in several Why do we keep Meerkats? Despite their near- Muscardinus avellanarius Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus breeding programmes for There are about 25 different species of Chipmunk; ubiquity in British zoos, Meerkats are hugely The Hazel Dormouse is found throughout much this is the only one found outside North America. popular. However, they do provide husbandry of Europe, but its British population has fallen DOMESTIC GUINEA PIG , as Since the 1960s, released populations of these challenges – not least because of their complex markedly in recent years. Hibernating through Cavia porcellus attractive ground squirrels have established social structures, which mean that some zoos are the winter, the Dormouse earns it reputation for Two of the most popular domesticated species to well as providing a home themselves in mainland Europe – to the possible compelled to maintain several different groups. laziness – although, come the spring, it is active detriment of native species. be found in homes in the UK – kept mainly, now, for for animals that have been By taking on these animals, we are helping zoos and busy, albeit largely nocturnal. companionship rather than for food. Why do we keep Chipmunks? Recent EU legislation which have bred Meerkats. Why do we keep Dormice? We are proud to bred in other British zoos. outlaws the breeding of several possibly “invasive’ Why do we keep Rabbits and Guinea Pigs? Our Meerkats at Bede’s Our Meerkats joined us from participate in a nationwide breeding programme pupils need to learn to handle animals; Rabbits species – including Chipmunks. The danger of Tilgate Nature Centre, in Crawley, and Bristol for the Hazel Dormouse, co-ordinated by Paignton non-native species escaping and establishing and Guinea Pigs enable them to start to do so Zoo. Getting groups of Meerkats to mix is Zoo. Animals bred at Bede’s have helped the wild with confidence. wild populations, at the expense of native exceptionally difficult – they are not naturally population to grow, having been returned to the We have species, means that only single-sex groups can welcoming of strangers! – but we managed to wild in the north of England. Rabbits and Guinea Pigs at Bede’s kept Rabbits and Guinea Pigs since the Bede’s be maintained in captivity. By looking after an combine our two groups. all-female group, we are helping a zoo which now Dormice at Bede’s We initially received Hazel Zoo was first established. Our ‘Belgian Hares’ maintains only males. Dormice in 2013; since then we have bred more than are simply a breed of domestic rabbit – while AZARA’S AGOUTI 30 youngsters, with 12 arriving in the spring of 2019. Chipmunks at Bede’s Our four female Chipmunks they are certainly not hares, the breed was Dasyprocta azarae Staff and pupils at Bede’s have been actively involved developed in Belgium, in the 1700s. arrived in 2016, from Battersea Park Zoo in in the building of nest boxes for wild Dormice, and the London. Looking a bit like long-legged Guinea Pigs, Agoutis are found in South and , where they monitoring of nearby wild populations. patrol forest floors looking for food – and aiming to avoid becoming food for other, larger creatures. MONGOLIAN GERBIL Suricata suricatta Meriones unguiculatus Why do we keep Agoutis? Unobtrusive and shy, our These south-west African are amongst Agoutis make perfect cage-mates for our group of These small Asian rodents are popular pets: all of the the most well-known zoo animals – but this is a Squirrel Monkeys. animals in Europe derive from animals brought to the relatively-recent phenomenon: a hugely-successful UK from the USA in 1964. BBC documentary, Meerkats United, was first Agoutis at Bede’s Our pair of Agoutis arrived in broadcast in 1987, and was followed soon after 2019, from other UK zoos; they have settled in Why do we keep Gerbils? Gerbils are easy to by an increased focus on the species in a number well, but they will not be producing youngsters – handle, and provide our pupils with the opportunity of zoos – including nearby Drusillas. Subsequent the male has been vasectomised to prevent such to learn to look after animals. appearances in The King, and a succession of an occurrence. Gerbils at Bede’s Our Gerbils came to us in 2018.

8 9 BIRDS

VIOLET TURACO beauty and its calm disposition make it a relatively We have developed a small popular species for private breeders. Lemon collection of African birds, Musophaga violacea Doves are common in the region of South Africa There are 23 species of turaco – relatives of the where Bede’s pupils have been involved in rhino most of which are to be cuckoo, found throughout sub-Saharan Africa; 15 of conversation projects in recent years. seen in our large aviary, these species can currently be seen in the zoos of Doves at Bede’s Our first dove, a male, came to us the UK. They are not especially strong fliers, but they in the Spring of 2018, and was soon joined by two completed in 2018. Our are adept at making their way through thick forest females. Our first chicks hatched in 2018. aim is to provide a variety foliage. Violet Turacos are native to West Africa, Turacos at Bede’s Our first pair of Violet Turacos WHITE-HEADED BARBET of birds with which our came to us in 2014; they reared their first chick in Lybius leucocephalus 2018. Our current female came to us in the Spring pupils can work, and which This charismatic species, related to woodpeckers of 2019, from Birdland, in Gloucestershire. provide an attractive display and toucans, is recognisable through the bristles at BLACKSMITH PLOVER the base of its beak. Lively, pugnacious and active, within the Bede’s Zoo. they are a fantastic species to maintain within the Vanellus armatus school zoo. With a call that sounds like a blacksmith’s Barbets at Bede’s This is the most unusual hammering, this attractive bird is a familiar sight species at Bede’s: there are none in any European through East and Southern Africa; it seeks water, zoos, and just a few held by private breeders (ours AFRICAN GREY but can survive in relatively dry areas. came from a private breeder, in 2019). We currently Lophoceros nasutus Plovers at Bede’s Our plovers were bred in the hold two males. This is one of the smaller hornbill species; found English Midlands; they came to Sussex in 2018, NORTHERN WHITE-FACED though much of sub-Saharan Africa, it breeds in to take up residence in our new aviary. They have typical hornbill fashion - the female is sealed up in produced several clutches of , but despite the Ptilopsis leucotis her nest, and, while raising her chicks, is dependent best efforts of our male none have yet been fertile. Found in a band spreading across Africa, from on her mate bringing her food. LEMON DOVE Senegal to Kenya, this owl mainly hunts small at Bede’s Since coming to Bede’s in 2014, mammals – mice, rats and so on – but also eats our Grey Hornbills have produced 12 chicks, most larvata a significant number of invertebrates, including recently in the Spring of 2019. Both the male – This attractive dove is widespread in sub-Saharan beetles, spiders and scorpions. whose beak is black – and the female (who has red Africa, but is rarely seen in captivity: there are Owls at Bede’s Our pair of owls came to us in 2011, markings on her beak) will happily take food from currently only six European zoos keeping the species from a private keeper in Yorkshire. We are currently the hand, or catch it if it is thrown into the air. (of which three are in Russia). Nonetheless, its training them to fly to a gloved hand.

11 REPTILES, AMPHIBIANS AND INVERTEBRATES

Our collection consists mainly of species that AMPHIBIANS Amphibians and – are frequently seen in the pet trade, with a especially – reptiles have number of ‘rescue’ animals amongst them, Golden Tree Frog Polypedates leucomystax allowing our pupils to develop a familiarity with White’s Tree Frog Litoria caerulea become massively popular these important animals. Chinese Fire Bellied Newt Cynops orientalis. as pets over the past 20 REPTILES INVERTEBRATES years. The Federation of Gecko Eublepharis macularius Madagascan Hissing Cockroach British Herpetologists Wonder Gecko Teratoscincus scincus Gromphadorhina portentosa Corn Snake Pantherophis guttatas claims that there are now MacLeay’s Spectre Stick We have bred a number of these snakes – probably Extatosoma tiaratum more reptiles kept in UK the most popularly-kept snake in Britain. New Guinea Giant Spiny Stick Insect homes than there are Royal Python Python regius Our Royal Pythons were previously maintained by Eurycantha calcarata . Despite this, many a private keeper who was unable to provide them Chilean Rose Grammostola rosea vets are less familiar with with the correct level of care; we have brought them Pink Tipped Giant African Land Snail back to health. Archachatina marginata reptiles than with dogs or Pogona vitticeps Inland Bearded Dragon Banded Coral Shrimp Stenopus hispidus Docile and charismatic, Bearded Dragons are , and the care given to Known as the "Boxing Shrimp" because of the excellent reptiles to handle. reptiles in pet shops is often large pinchers on their third set of legs. These Hermann’s Tortoise Testudo hermanni pinchers are often held erect and give the Banded inadequate. Our animals were rehoused at Bede’s having Coral Shrimp the appearance of a boxer ready to previously been kept as pets. fight. They are very active members of our reef Common Musk Turtle Sternotherus odoratus community tanks. Our three Musk Turtles belonged to our much-loved Dwarf Hermit Crab Paguristes cadenati late colleague Guy Rudnick. We are proud to look These active scavengers can consume large after them on his behalf. amounts of animal waste matter and algae helping Razor Backed Musk Turtle Sternotherus carinatus to keep our marine tanks clean. Common Map Turtle Graptemys geographica. Dahilia Anemone Urctina felina

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Our collection of fish Black Molly Poecilia sphenops Lemon Tetra Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis Although they are not true livebearers - they do not Phantom Tetra Hyphessobrycon megalopterus consists of species widely have a placental link to their offspring - they do allow the embryos to develop inside the female's Pakistani Loach Botia almorhae available to private aquarists body cavity, giving the fry a bit of a head start. Harlequin Rasbora Trigonostigma heteromorpha They also practise sequential hermaphrodism - the – fish-keeping is a hugely Scissor tail Rasbora Rasbora trilineata ability to transform from a female into a male if popular hobby, and thus it is population pressures warrant it. Blue Striped Mbuna Labeotropheus fuelleborni One of more than a thousand different species of Spotted Dora Agamyxis pectinifrons important for our pupils to Mbuna that are endemic to Lake Malawi. They have develop an understanding Bronze Corydoras aeneus developed highly-defined feeding niches and are so Corydoras catfish, originally from , localised to their that one species may only of aquarium work. are easy-going fish who get along well in be found in the shallows surrounding an island the Unfortunately, fish-keeping community aquariums. size of a small lawn. Common Plecostomus Hypostomus plecostomus Rainbow Kribensis Pelvicachromis pulcher - no longer features on the One of the common catfish species that we hold Native to southern Nigeria and to coastal areas of syllabus for the Animal but also one of the most interesting - it has Cameroon, this species of cichlid inhabits both slow developed a rasping sucker by fusing its lower jaw. and fast-moving water, though it is only found where Management course our The common plec is often kept in fish tanks to eat patches of dense vegetation are available. Our pair algae but aquarists are sometimes surprised by the have bred regularly and are excellent parents. pupils follow, so it is likely size they can attain. Lemon Peel Fish Centropyge flavissima that we will reduce our Bristle-nosed CatfishAncistrus temmincki Yellow Tailed Blue Damselfish Chrysiptera collection in the future. Synodont Catfish Synodontis multipunctatus parasema One of our more carnivorous catfish. Common Clownfish Amphiprion ocellaris Neon Tetra Paracheirodon innesi - One of the most familiar of sea fish, due to their One of the commonest aquarium fish, it has been appearance in the film Finding Nemo; there are bred in the UK since the 1940s. One of several 30 different species of Clownfish. species of Amazonian tetras that we keep. Silver Tipped Tetra Hasemania nana Glowlight Tetra Hemigrammus erythrozonus

15 BEHAVIOURAL ENRICHMENT

An essential element within our zoo is the daily replication of natural feeding behaviours. Every Lower Sixth student enrichment to our animals. But what is enrichment? snake we have has the option to climb within their Georgie Cloke explores the What is its purpose within our zoo? Our zoo enclosures: although they might not need as much manager, Helen Poyser, explains: “Enrichment is mental stimulation, they can still benefit from ways in which we enrich the provided for the animals in order to ensure they have physical. Another large element of our enrichment lives of the animals within the stimulus needed for physical and psychological is the scatter feeding technique. Scattering live well-being”. Such stimulus plays a vital role in food (Invertebrates such as mealworms) allows all the school zoo. maintaining peak physical and mental health for all aspects of a habitat to be utilised and the animal our species; it requires them to think and puzzle, is required to scout, chase and dig for its food. The the longer the better - no animal in the wild would Meerkats have a dig box: to access the crickets ever have its food in a metal bowl. We endeavour to they must make use of their long front claws and give our animals the most natural life possible, and strong front legs. We use this technique for many of sometimes this can mean being somewhat inventive our species including all of our African Birds. with our feeding strategies. Enrichment does not only have to be centred on food; Here at Bede’s we care for 70 species, so catering it can also impact the ways in which the enclosure for their individual enrichment needs can be quite a is structured and the items within the habitat. This challenge. Each animal has different requirement, can involve live plants to provide shade and climbing as a snake is not going to need the same enrichment material, or housing compatible species together, as a Squirrel Monkey. However, this mammoth as shown in our African aviary. A less known form task is undertaken by Ms Poyser and a small army of enrichment is olfactory: applying new scents, of enthusiastic students, and this ensures every whether this be an herb or a perfume, around an individual animal receives stimulation and interest enclosure can provide an animal, or a group of every single day. animals with a new puzzle. This is a particular Our arboreal species - Lemurs, Squirrel Monkeys, favourite with our troupe of Squirrel Monkeys, who Kinkajous and Common Marmosets - all require love to get involved in anything new. enrichment that is going to need them to climb and Enrichment is an absolute must for every animal challenge them physically. Our Kinkajous have strong in the zoo’s care - without it we wouldn’t be able to prehensile tails; they receive their food hanging on maintain such healthy and happy animals. thick ropes which asks them to hang upside down. This is how they would access fruit on trees in the wild, and so by doing this we have achieved the

16 THE HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL ZOO

The school’s Academic Deputy Head, John Tuson, with two substantial houses built by the school’s The genesis of the Bede’s was convinced of the value that a collection of living own estates team. Three new external enclosures Zoo can be traced back to animals could bring to Bede’s – and as someone were developed alongside these houses. A brick who had previously worked in a zoo himself, and who pathway and a perimeter fence were installed, 2008 when Paul Juniper freely admits to being obsessed with zoos and with while the zoo’s old, wooden enclosures were first came to work in Upper animals, he was determined to help to develop such replaced by newly-built exhibits for birds, Hazel a collection in Upper Dicker. Dormice and Siberian Chipmunks. Dicker. As soon as he was In 2011, Mr Juniper, and his animals, migrated across All of this work was undertaken by the school’s ensconced in the school, the school campus, to their current location: what own extraordinary team of craftsmen, particularly was once a large storage shed for sports equipment Phil Pepper, Andy Rideout and the indefatigable he started to develop a was converted to a classroom, an animal kitchen, Rupert Caine. The quality of the facilities we have small collection of animals and two animal rooms. Three outdoor enclosures – is a testament to their skill, and also to their suitable for small carnivores – were included, as well imagination and ability to find solutions to the in his lab: a snake or two, as the current Tree Shrew enclosure. problems that such a project inevitably presents. some frogs, a very nice Over the coming years, further outdoor enclosures Meanwhile, in order to be able to keep primates, were added, as the collection grew. The Meerkat the school applied for and received approval from Blue-tongued Skink - all enclosure was constructed, as was the rabbit run DEFRA; we also needed to be awarded a Dangerous followed, and the idea of (utilising anti-seagull netting). David Hartley, a Wild Animals Act licence – although the animals retired Headmaster from Yorkshire who kept a large which trigger such a requirement are our lemurs, doing this properly began private collection of different species, donated two which might not be seen as the most dangerous mongooses, some fruit bats and a . The current animals we hold. We have also registered our to germinate. Kinkajou enclosure was created, initially for Macaws, collection on ZIMS, a database of captive animals then, later for our African birds (who in 2018 moved covering all of the world’s professionally-run zoos. into a more spacious aviary). A run of smaller, The new facility was officially opened in September lightweight, wooden enclosures was built to house 2018, by Dr Christoph Schwitzer, the Chief Dormice, Red Squirrels, and various birds. Zoological Officer of Bristol Zoo. Bede’s now has As the school zoo became fully established, we made a truly unique facility: a zoo which is a teaching the decision to expand its area, and to invest in resource, which enables pupils to learn and to better facilities. In the autumn of 2017, work began pursue their interests, and which allows pupils on what had previously been a storage yard, to the to participate in national and international west of the existing zoo area. The site was cleared, programmes for the benefit of wildlife.

18 WHY HAVE A ZOO IN A SCHOOL? STAFF AT THE BEDE’S ZOO

It might not be so immediately obvious, however, The zoo also enables us to look beyond our own Paul Juniper came to work at Bede's, as a Science Helen Poyser joined Bede’s in 2018, as manager It is unlikely that anyone why we have a small zoo within the school grounds. school campus. The facility allows the school teacher, in 2008. His background was one which of the school’s zoo. She has a degree in Sports looking at Bede's would A small zoo that, at the last count, contained to participate in a number of national breeding combined education and zoos: his father had been Science, but fell into animal care at Gauntlet Birds about 70 species of mammals, birds, amphibians, programmes of endangered species: European a keeper at , and before training as a of Prey Centre in Cheshire before progressing onto question why we have a reptiles, fish and invertebrates. Polecats, bred in Upper Dicker, have been released teacher, Paul had spent a decade working as a zoo London Zoo and . With a decade of Mathematics Department. The answer is several-fold, and the benefits the zoo into the wild, in the Brecon Beacons; offspring from keeper, at a variety of British collections, including animal care under her belt she has worked with a brings to us, tangible and intangible, are many. our Hazel Dormice have, similarly, returned to the Southport Zoo, in Lancashire, , and wide range of species from rats to camels, but her wild to help replenish depleted natural populations. Woburn , in Bedfordshire. He had worked main focus has been in free flight and mixed taxa Or a Dining Hall. Or a Most obviously, the collection we hold in the zoo Meanwhile, pupils and staff from the school are with Asian Elephants, with (shaggy- demonstrations - meaning she has a particular forms the cornerstone on which is built the Sixth string of Football pitches. involved with the breeding and tracking of wild haired, Labrador-sized, arboreal beasts, with a specialism in animal training. Since arriving at Form BTEC Animal Management course. This course Dormice, a small population of which is struggling to fantastic smell) and with a plethora of primates. Bede’s, she has revolutionised the feeding regime provides a superb opportunity for those pupils who We're a school, and schools He is the Head of Boarding at Bede’s. of our various animals, exploring both what the wish to work with animals, wild or domestic, or who maintain a foothold in Sussex. animals eat, and how that food is presented tend to have such things. wish to have something unusual to sit alongside their The Bede’s Zoo is not, primarily, a facility for John Tuson has been at Bede’s since 1993, and to them. She has also proved to be a brilliant scientific qualifications. Since we started offering sightseers: it is a working part of a school rather is one of the school’s Deputy Heads. He teaches instructor of students!. the course, in 2013, we have seen 53 pupils complete than a visitor attraction. However, each month we English, but has significant experience of animals their BTEC qualification, with around 90% doing so welcome many groups to the school zoo –from local and zoos: between his first and second spells at at distinction level. Pupils who have undertaken the schools, disadvantaged children, from our own Prep Bede’s, he worked at Newquay Zoo, in Cornwall, course have moved on to study veterinary medicine, School, or anyone who is interested in the work we and writes frequently for several zoo journals. veterinary nursing, zoology, conservation – and many are doing. Peter Jones has taught Science and Animal other courses not directly connected with animals. Management at Bede’s since 2008. He has close Several of our alumni have gone on to work in zoos Perhaps above all of this, however, we feel that and aquaria around Great Britain, and further a connection with animals is enriching, calming, links to Africa, having lived in Zambia, Algeria afield – we recently heard that one former pupil has fulfilling. Feeding mealworms to a Bearded and Malawi, where he worked as a Science started working at Singapore Zoo. Dragon, gaining the trust of a Kinkajou, or simply teacher and Housemaster in an international appreciating the beauty of our pair of Violet school for seven years, before moving to Italy to The collection also provides the location for one of Turacos - resplendent African forest birds - brings teach science in Milan for a year. His particular the school's most popular activities: the Zoological something to the lives of the young people who are interest is in aquaculture and he has a Masters Society. Each week, large numbers of pupils are privileged to be able to enjoy these opportunities. in Fisheries Biology; his thesis was on the fish of able to spend their afternoons feeding the Grey Lake Malawi. He is responsible for the zoo’s fish Hornbills, cleaning out the Royal Pythons’ vivarium, And, for all of these reasons, we are delighted that, collection. He is the Housemaster of Stud House. or rearranging the branching in the home of the alongside the school's Media Studies Studio, its Siberian Chipmunks. And as part of their “Twenty- Squash Courts and Swimming Pool, its boarding First Studies” curriculum, all of our First Year houses and Art School and Cricket Pavilion, there is pupils undertake a course based in the school zoo, also a small collection of animals at Bede's which exploring issues faced by the wildlife of the world. have come to us from all around the world.

20 21 THE FUTURE THANKS TO BACKGROUND TO THE SCHOOL

With the extensive development of our various To Pete Goodyer, Bede’s Headmaster, who believed Bede’s is a large independent school, with animal enclosures, the arrival of a number of new in the Bede’s Zoo, and backed it, when less around 750 pupils aged from 13 to 18. As one of species, and the appointment of the zoo’s first imaginative headmasters would not have done so. the youngest major independent schools in the UK manager, 2018 was a very busy year for the Bede’s To Rupert Caine, Phil Pepper, Phil McCullagh, (it was founded as recently as 1979) it has never Zoo. But nothing stands still, and we continue to Andy Rideout and Steve Hadland… whose skill as been restricted by its history, and has always been look at ways in which we can improve the school builders and craftsmen has allowed us to develop a able to approach its curriculum with imagination. zoo, and the work we undertake here. facility of such great quality. The development of the school zoo, to support the BTEC Animal management course, is but one The numbers of students studying the Sixth Form To Noj Northway, the Bursar at Bede’s, who has BTEC course continue to rise; we are now exploring example of this approach. As well as maintaining supported the development of the Bede’s Zoo, a collection of animals, the school strives for the possibility of offering a GCSE-equivalent particularly during its recent expansion. course, for pupils in Years 10 and 11, and hope to academic excellence, sporting and creative be able to launch this in 2020. To Rick Davies, of Willerby Landscapes, who has success, and the development of young men and generously supplied us with many of the plants women who are able to contribute to society in a Our Dormouse breeding project has been which can be seen in the Bede’s Zoo. positive fashion. extraordinarily successful – we have produced as many youngsters as any other ‘zoo’ in the UK. To the Bede’s staff, past and present, who have However, the Dormice are not especially visible contributed to the work of the Bede’s Zoo, including – they are strictly nocturnal – so we are hoping Guy Rudnick (former Head of Psychology), Nancy to move them to an ‘off-show’ breeding centre, Morton-Freeman (Head of Biology), Dr Andrew allowing us to develop their enclosure for other Carroll (teacher of mathematics), and Dr Sam Earle species. (former teacher of Science). Our biggest future project will be the development To animal-keeping colleagues across the country of our “Herptile Room” (home to our fish, who have been supportive of our work, including, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates). We are in particular, staff at Drusillas, Chessington looking to create a more attractive space in which World of Adventures, Battersea Park Zoo, Tilgate our pupils can hone their animal husbandry skills. Nature Centre, and Bristol Zoo. To our vets, Peter Stotesbury, of the Highcroft Veterinary Group, and Meanwhile, while many of our animals are held in Kirsty Turrell. And to Alan Ashby (designaka@ non-breeding groups, we look to breed a number hotmail.com) who has produced the information – our Plovers are proving the most difficult nut signs which are to be see within the zoo. to crack here! And new species will be joining the collection as well. And to the pupils of Bede’s who have embraced and enjoyed the zoo in their midst…. So: some consolation, but also recognition that we must be continuously looking for improvements!

22 2nd edition; published September 2019. 23 Bede’s Senior School T 01323 843252 Upper Dicker [email protected] East Sussex BN27 3QH bedes.org