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About Us

We are Bedfordshire's only multi-award winning, family run animal encounters business and mobile zoo. We launched in 2014 and cover Bedfordshire, England and a wide surrounding area. Please get in touch to discuss your location, or visit our FAQ page. If you have a child who is animal mad, if you are a teacher looking for an inspiring presentation or workshop, or you’re looking for an unusual, educational, attention grabbing feature for your event or party- we are just what you’re looking for! Our animal encounters are 5 star rated on Facebook and Add To Event.

Teaching Talons has won awards such as the Bedfordshire Business Champions winner, at the Town & County Business Champions awards, Best Enterprising Business at the Luton & Beds SME Awards, Most Innovative Mobile Zoo - UK at the Global 100 awards and even Best Animal Encounters Business & Mobile Zoo 2023 with the SME News Southern Enterprise Awards- along with multiple green and sustainable awards- to name a few! 

 

We are a limited company, registered with Companies House, no.08746757 and have public and product liability insurance with up to £5,000,000 of cover. Our presenters are all enhanced DBS checked. Teaching Talons hold an Animal Activities License, no. 19/017833 issued by Central Bedfordshire Council. This has replaced the Performing Animals Licenses, which are now null and void. Please note, animal encounters companies without an AAL are now operating illegally. Teaching Talons has a Type 1 Animal Transporter Authorization Certificate. We don’t own, or use any animal classed by law as a DWA, Dangerous Wild Animal. Any animal we own that is protected by CITES, Convention for the International Trade of Endangered Species, has all relevant paperwork, such as Article 10's and our birds are registered with the Independent Bird Register. Many of our animal team are rescues, or are rehomed ex-pets and we hold high welfare standards, both at home and out and about- so you can book with confidence!

DBS checked, qualified staff

Public  liability insurance
£5,000,000

Animal Activities License, no. 19/017833

TRANSPORT AUTHORIZATION CERTIFICATE

Full risk assessment

Dream Team

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Becky

LEAD PRESENTER &

ANIMAL MANAGER

 

Becky is an experienced zoo animal keeper, presenter and trainer. She set up Teaching Talons Ltd in 2014.

 

She has worked, volunteered with and studied animals from her mid-teens onwards. This includes experience in zoos, kennels, stables, farms, wildlife rehabilitation and even a wildlife sanctuary in Africa!

 

Her qualifications include a BSc. Honours degree in Applied Animal Behaviour and Training, achieved at Bishop Burton College.

 

Becky has worked at Woburn Safari Park, Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park and Heythrop Zoological Gardens. Her experience is with a wide range of species, such as sea lions, primates and birds of prey. She was also the lead education officer at Combe Martin Wildlife Park and has lectured Animal Behaviour at North Hertfordshire College.

 

Becky has completed BIAZA certified training in positive reinforcement, is a professional member of ABWAK and has been an active member of the Bedfordshire bat group.

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Tara

ARTWORK, GRAPHICS AND DESIGNER

 

Tara is an experienced animal keeper, presenter and trainer, specializing in birds with several years working at two zoological collections.

 

She has a LANTRA award in falconry and BIAZA certified training in Raptor Health and Longevity as well as being a professional member of ABWAK.

Tara now works as an artist and maker. She does all of our graphic design and made and maintains our website! You can see her artwork here.

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Yaz

PRESENTER & ANIMAL KEEPER

 

Yaz joined the team in 2022. He is our main animal keeper for daily care at home, as well as presenting at most bookings when we are out and about.

 

Yaz has completed ZSL's Zoo Academy' course and completed CPD at KeeperFest.. He also has an Animal Welfare Diploma course, completed with distinction. He is a professional member of ABWAK.

 

In his spare time, he runs his own business, Motley Exotics, making anatomically correct, needle felted invertebrates and enclosure signage, as well as volunteering on a sheep farm.

 

Yaz has a huge passion for reptiles and invertebrates and has his own private collection at home of over 40 tarantulas, 10 mantids, 4 snakes and 3 geckos! In fact our snakes, Ferrous and Tapis belong to Yaz and live at home with him!

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Danii

PRESENTER & ANIMAL KEEPER

 

Danii joined the team in 2021.

 

Danii and Becky met through studying for animal qualifications at Bishop Burton College, although both did different courses.

 

She has a National Diploma in animal management and care, as well as experience working in dog boarding kennels and grooming.

 

Most of Danii’s career has been spent working as an animal technician and a research technician. This was primarily with rodents, New World primates and at a large aquarium.

 

Her work for the research industry has also included teaching animal care and handling. If that wasn’t enough- she has completed an introduction to British Sign Language too!

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Dawn

PRESENTER & ANIMAL KEEPER

Dawn ran an animal encounters company before joining the Teaching Talons team. As a result, she has plenty of experience in providing a ‘mobile zoo’ presentation to a high standard.

 

With a City & Guilds Teaching Assistant level 2 NVQ, Dawn has over a decades experience working as an Early Years practitioner- ultimately in a senior role- which complements her animal experience perfectly for being an animal encounters presenter!

 

Dawn is also studying for a foundation degree in Animal Management at Shuttleworth College and has completed volunteer work at Shepreth Wildlife Park.

 

If Dawn looks familiar to you- it may because you recognise her from her other role, working in a lead customer care role at Acorn House vets, in Bedford. 

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Wendy

DIRECTOR, OWNER

& ANIMAL PRESENTER

Our second owner and director is Wendy. Wendy also helps with animal handling and presenting duties and is Becky and Tara's Mum! She is a fantastic gardener and brilliant at plant identification. She collects a multitude of natural, safe weeds, flowers and plants for our animals to eat each week. This ensures a varied and natural diet!

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Russ

DIRECTOR, OWNER

ANIMAL PRESENTER

 

Russ is our owner and director, as well as a fully trained presenter and animal handler for Teaching Talons. He is also Becky and Tara's Dad!

 

Russ is emergency first aid trained and does the majority of our accounting.

 

As well as Teaching Talons, his other passion is football, including walking football and frame football, for children with cerebral palsy. He has a wealth of experience working with children and SEN groups.

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Luke

PRESENTER & ANIMAL KEEPER

 

Luke joined the team in 2023 at just 19, but already with a wealth of experience!

 

Struggling with the school environment, his school arranged for him to do two days a week volunteering in the well known, local exotic animal pet shop chain, 'Wrigglies'.

 

After a year long placement, Wrigglies were so impressed with his polite nature and work ethics, that they gave him a long-term weekend role, so he could continue helping and learning. 

Luke also has a passion for singing and performs live all over the country. This has included touring schools around the UK- singing and talking to young people about mental health.

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