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# College's zoo dream inspires student conservation mission to Africa
- URL: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/colleges-zoo-dream-inspires-student-conservation-mission-to-africa/
- Published: 2024-11-29T08:01:38.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-16T15:29:09.000Z
- Description: Students at Suffolk Rural College are working to turn their wildlife conservation dreams into reality, launching an innovative adoption scheme to fund a life-changing trip to South Africa. The initiative comes as the college pursues its ambition to become a licensed zoo.
- Author: Oliver Rouane-Williams
- Tags: News, Further Education, #article, Suffolk New College, #Import 2026-03-16 14:46

**Why it matters:** The college's development into a licensed zoo facility would create a unique educational environment in Suffolk, combining practical animal care with conservation training.

**The big picture:** Suffolk Rural, located eight miles north of Ipswich, applied for a zoo licence in 2023 and is currently upgrading their animal studies centre. The adoption scheme marks another step in expanding their animal care facilities and educational offerings.

![Suffolk Rural student Chloe Coates from Ipswich holding Cheerse, a Tenrec from Africa](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/1e/291e4b7f-e551-4458-b546-61963954b22f/content/images/2026/03/1732821681-chloe-coates-from-suffolk-rural-1.jpg)

Suffolk Rural student Chloe Coates from Ipswich holding Cheerse, a Tenrec from Africa (Suffolk New College)

**How it works:**

- Members of the public can adopt animals including meerkats and a giant tortoise
- Three tiers of packages available, ranging from £10 to £50
- Adopters receive a certificate and fact file about their chosen animal
- Funds support both the animal centre and a student trip to South Africa

**Behind the scenes:** Students are taking an active role in developing the adoption scheme while also planning their educational visit to South Africa's Limpopo region in April 2025.

**What they're saying:** "I think young people can learn more about conservation being out in the wild and through conservation you can make the world a better place," says student Chloe Coates, 17, from Ipswich.

An animal studies lecturer Jack Springall is helping to co-ordinate the trip to South Africa. He said: “This is something I did when I was younger and I benefited from it so much, so I understand the value of it. Reminiscing on his own experiences, he said the trip will give studens "a life changing experience" that will "help them get a greater understanding of wildlife and conservation.”

**The details:** The South Africa trip is being organised through Flooglebinder, a student tour operator specialising in sustainability and conservation experiences.

Students are working to raise £3,000 each through various activities including:

- The adoption scheme
- Raffles
- Bake sales
- Christmas fair
- Grant applications

**The bottom line:** While the adoption scheme will help fund both the animal centre's development and the South Africa trip, it represents an important step in Suffolk Rural's journey toward becoming a licensed zoo facility.

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