Zoo Firearms Training
County Deer Stalking Firearms Training offers the UK’s only LANTRA-accredited course in Best Practice Guidance for the Use of Firearms in Zoos & Wildlife Parks, delivered by the Shooting & Hunting Academy.
This nationally recognised firearms training course for zoos is widely used by zookeepers and zoo managers and is designed to support compliance with UK legislation, BIAZA guidance and the Standards of Modern Zoo Practice for Great Britain. Increasingly, this type of training is referenced as part of zoo licensing compliance and inspection preparedness.
We are an established LANTRA Approved Training Provider with an extensive police background, decades of experience working with dangerous animals and over ten years’ experience delivering specialist firearms training to zoos and wildlife parks across the UK.
“The CDS Firearms Training course for Zoos was professional both in terms of content and delivery.”
- Chessington World of Adventures
“The content ensured that our zoo was up to date with UK legislation and BIAZA guidance. I would strongly recommend this course to other zoos and wildlife parks.”
- Zoo Manager
The UK’s leading firearms training course for zoos and wildlife parks is now delivered via a simple and effective online learning platform, accessible to organisations across the UK follow this link to find out more:
Firearms Training for Zoos | LANTRA Accredited | Zoo Compliance UK
Above: Lowland Gorilla 'Harambe' was tragically shot dead when a 3 year old boy fell into the enclosure
Incidents involving unauthorised access to enclosures and, on rare occasions, dangerous animal escapes highlight the importance of robust emergency planning, staff competence and effective public safety procedures within zoological settings.
The Firearms Training for Zoos & Wildlife Parks course is designed for both operational staff and management, supporting the safe and lawful use of firearms, emergency response capability, the selection of appropriate firearms and equipment, and the development of procedures aligned with UK legislation, BIAZA guidance and best practice standards.
It provides a structured approach to ensuring staff are trained, competent and prepared to respond effectively in high-risk situations, while also supporting the documentation of training and competence for licensing inspections and internal audit.
Lead instructor Peter S Jones brings a background in policing and over a decade of experience delivering firearms training to zoos and wildlife parks. His work focuses on managing high-risk scenarios and supporting organisations in developing effective emergency response procedures.
The course provides accessible, practical insight into firearm selection and licensing, liaison with emergency services, safe approaches to dangerous animals, shot placement and expected outcomes, and operational procedures aligned with current best practice.
Organisations enrolling on the course benefit from a one-hour telephone consultation with the lead instructor, providing guidance on procedures, equipment selection and integration into emergency response planning. Ongoing practical training and support are also available where required.
The Zoo Firearms Course includes the following modules:
Module 1: Introduction
Module 2: Firearm safety and understanding the component parts
Module 3: Selecting the right weapons & optics
Module 4: Choosing the right calibre & ammunition
Module 5: Marksmanship & Shooting positions
Module 6: Shot placement & shot reaction
Module 7: Contact & Cover and Reactionary gap
Module 8: Following up on shot animals
Module 9: Important procedural guidance
Final Exam
In an increasingly regulated environment, zoos and wildlife parks are expected to demonstrate clear, effective and well-documented emergency response capability.
Enrol today to ensure your organisation is equipped with the knowledge, procedures and training required to meet current UK legislation, BIAZA guidance and the Standards of Modern Zoo Practice. Just follow this Link:
Firearms Training for Zoos | LANTRA Accredited | Zoo Compliance UK
The course supports organisations in meeting DEFRA guidance and UK legislation relating to firearms use in zoos, helping ensure that managers implement appropriate procedures and that staff are trained, competent and properly equipped.
If you would like a consultation for your zoo or wildlife park anywhere in the UK, or would like to find out more about firearms training for zoos, please contact Peter S Jones on:
Tel: 020 3981 0159 / 07789 747709
Email:
To read more about incidents when zoo enclosures have been breached follow this link: cds-firearms-training-for-zoos
