Animal Care Students Make a Splash During Pond Dipping Adventure

It was a day of discovery, laughter, and a touch of mud recently, as Level 2 Animal Care students took part in an exciting pond dipping session led by the North Devon National Trust. The budding naturalists spent the day exploring local wildlife habitats, getting up close with the wonders beneath the water’s surface.

Equipped with nets and keen eyes, students dipped into ponds to uncover a fascinating array of aquatic life, spotting everything from wriggling tadpoles to graceful newts and a surprising variety of invertebrates. But the highlight of the day? A curious frog who quickly became the group’s honorary mascot—affectionately named George by the students.

The wildlife encounters didn’t stop at the water’s edge. The group also spent time getting to know some friendly farm animals, forming unexpected bonds with a few pigs and cattle nearby. The animals seemed just as interested in the students as the students were in them.

The trip is part of a wider initiative to engage students with local biodiversity and sustainability, offering a hands-on learning experience outside the classroom.

National Trust rangers praised the students for their enthusiasm and curiosity, and hinted that George the frog might be expecting more visitors in the future.