VISITORS to a North Yorkshire zoo are likely to catch a glimpse of a special bunch of animal enthusiasts this week as part of a new initiative.

The Zoo Academy at Flamingo Land was started during the summer holidays, to allow seven to ten-year-olds to learn more about nature and wild animals by working alongside them.

Cat Hickey, zoo education strategist at Flamingo Land, said the scheme had proved popular enough, with ten to 15 children with us each day, to be planned for next year as well.

She said: “We started this initiative early this year, and have already put in place that it’s going to be done again in Easter and for three weeks next summer.

“They get in with the lemurs, then take a tour around the zoo, then get to feed the rhinos, giraffes and hippos.

“It’s brilliant, every day is completely different.

“It’s interesting and very busy.”