My Account
Skip to main content
Animal Parties
Entertainers
Childrens Entertainers
Remote Childrens Entertainers
Educational
Virtual Entertainers
Team Building
Exhibition Stands
Teaching Talons (The Animal Ambassadors)
5.0 | 11 Reviews
Multi-award winning animal encounters and mobile zoo, run by professional zoo keepers. Bringing education to life! Based in Flitwick, Bedfordshire and covering a wide surrounding area. AAL License no.19/017833
View all photos
Services we provide
Animal PartiesEntertainersChildrens EntertainersRemote Childrens EntertainersEducationalVirtual EntertainersTeam BuildingExhibition StandsAbout Teaching Talons (The Animal Ambassadors)
Teaching Talons provide multi-award-winning educational animal encounters at a variety of events and locations. Classing ourselves as 'Edutainment', we aim for everyone to have fun, whilst learning something new about the animals we share our planet with and pride ourselves on high animal welfare standards.
With our fantastic collection of friendly, exotic, and companion animals, Teaching Talons can attend a whole variety of occasions- including- but not limited to schools, birthday parties, care homes, private or public events, corporate events, team building, clubs, and more to add that special something! We even offer phobia cure sessions with a qualified therapist and can provide animals for both film and photography work.
Our animals include owls, a parrot, reptiles, mammals, amphibians, giant invertebrates (creepy crawlies!) and even a performing dog! Bookings can be tailored to various topics, or if your event has a theme (for example Halloween, Easter, Christmas, Harry Potter, and more!). If you have a child who is animal mad, if you are looking for an inspiring presentation or workshop, or you’re looking for an unusual, educational, attention-grabbing feature for your event or party- look no further! We provide our own risk assessments and are fully licensed and insured (as well as qualified in animal care!). Our presenters are also DBS checked. So sit back, relax and let us bring the zoo to you!
Our animals include owls, a parrot, reptiles, mammals, amphibians, giant invertebrates (creepy crawlies!) and even a performing dog! Bookings can be tailored to various topics, or if your event has a theme (for example Halloween, Easter, Christmas, Harry Potter, and more!). If you have a child who is animal mad, if you are looking for an inspiring presentation or workshop, or you’re looking for an unusual, educational, attention-grabbing feature for your event or party- look no further! We provide our own risk assessments and are fully licensed and insured (as well as qualified in animal care!). Our presenters are also DBS checked. So sit back, relax and let us bring the zoo to you!
Our Story
Our mission statement is to transform the way children and adults alike see the natural world, through 'edutainment'. We aim to provide fun, engaging, informative interaction with animals, in a safe way, with high welfare- that will inspire our audiences interests and passions for wildlife. The majority of our animal team are rescues, or rehomes- with their own stories to tell and now receiving the specialist care and attentive home they need.
We launched in 2014, being set up by qualified and professional zoo keepers, Becky Meredith-Shaw and her sister, Tara Shaw. We now have a fantastic, small team of passionate and engaging presenters- who bring the zoo to you!
We launched in 2014, being set up by qualified and professional zoo keepers, Becky Meredith-Shaw and her sister, Tara Shaw. We now have a fantastic, small team of passionate and engaging presenters- who bring the zoo to you!
Our Team
Becky - Lead presenter and 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.
Yaz - Lead 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, is a professional member of ABWAK and has completed CPD at two KeeperFests and various ABWAK and BIAZA workshops. He also has an Animal Welfare Diploma, completed with distinction.
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. Check out Motley Exotics on Etsy, or Instagram!
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 giant gecko, Oscar and snakes, Ferrous and Tapis belong to Yaz and live at home with him!
Lauren - Animal keeper & presenter- Lauren and Becky met when both working as animal keepers at Woburn Safari Park. She was also a lecturer at North Hertfordshire College when Becky guest lectured there.
Lauren still lives locally and does freelance work for us to help during busy periods, or when Becky is away. She does this around her main job, working as head of the post-16 provision at Stable & Wild. Stable & Wild is a therapeutic outdoor learning environment with animals, helping young people overcome barriers and to thrive and grow.
Laurens role before this was teaching the zoo keeper apprenticeship scheme at Capel Manor College.
We are often at the same CPD courses and conferences, gaining new knowledge to share with you all!
Lauren has two children and also runs her own blog on things to do with the kids in the local area. Search for 'Mumday Funday' on Facebook and give her a follow!
Emilie - Animal keeper & presenter- Emilie joined us in July 2024.
She is a driven, hard working lady- working for us part time around her job at the Natural History Museum AND studying for a masters degree!
Emilie already holds a degree in zoology and previously worked as a science educator at the Natural History Museum, before moving into a collection based role, currently with lichen!
On top of this, she has previously worked at ZSL and London SeaLife, as well as volunteering at Shepreth Wildlife Park!
Please see our website for full details of all our wonderful team members!
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.
Yaz - Lead 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, is a professional member of ABWAK and has completed CPD at two KeeperFests and various ABWAK and BIAZA workshops. He also has an Animal Welfare Diploma, completed with distinction.
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. Check out Motley Exotics on Etsy, or Instagram!
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 giant gecko, Oscar and snakes, Ferrous and Tapis belong to Yaz and live at home with him!
Lauren - Animal keeper & presenter- Lauren and Becky met when both working as animal keepers at Woburn Safari Park. She was also a lecturer at North Hertfordshire College when Becky guest lectured there.
Lauren still lives locally and does freelance work for us to help during busy periods, or when Becky is away. She does this around her main job, working as head of the post-16 provision at Stable & Wild. Stable & Wild is a therapeutic outdoor learning environment with animals, helping young people overcome barriers and to thrive and grow.
Laurens role before this was teaching the zoo keeper apprenticeship scheme at Capel Manor College.
We are often at the same CPD courses and conferences, gaining new knowledge to share with you all!
Lauren has two children and also runs her own blog on things to do with the kids in the local area. Search for 'Mumday Funday' on Facebook and give her a follow!
Emilie - Animal keeper & presenter- Emilie joined us in July 2024.
She is a driven, hard working lady- working for us part time around her job at the Natural History Museum AND studying for a masters degree!
Emilie already holds a degree in zoology and previously worked as a science educator at the Natural History Museum, before moving into a collection based role, currently with lichen!
On top of this, she has previously worked at ZSL and London SeaLife, as well as volunteering at Shepreth Wildlife Park!
Please see our website for full details of all our wonderful team members!
Experience
Multi-award winning animal encounters, run by professional zoo keepers. We have won various Small to Medium Enterprise awards- including 'Service Excellence', the 'Green business award' and 'Most innovative mobile zoo'.
Typical Clients
Educational animal encounters for all types of events. Parties, schools, care homes, weddings. public, private and corporate events, photography and film-work.
Credentials
Teaching Talons animal keepers are professional members of ABWAK- the Association of British & Irish Wild Animal Keepers. Our keepers attend at least one CPD course, or workshop a year, so we can continually expand our knowledge and care and keep up to date with the latest skills and practices.
Lead presenter and manager, Becky has a degree in applied animal behaviour & training, achieved at Bishop Burton College. Please see our website for further details of our teams qualifications and achievements.
Lead presenter and manager, Becky has a degree in applied animal behaviour & training, achieved at Bishop Burton College. Please see our website for further details of our teams qualifications and achievements.
Reviews
Teaching Talons (The Animal Ambassadors)
5.0
11 Reviews
Quality
Communication
Value
Quality of Service
5 star
100%
4 star
0%
3 star
0%
2 star
0%
1 star
0%
5 Star Review
A wonderful experience for families
We used Teaching Talons for a Family Day event. The team were excellent and it was one of the most popular attractions on the day. Ideal for children who loved being able to interact with the animals and learn more about them. The two animal handlers were lovely and so knowledgeable. I would definitely recommend Teaching Talons and will use them again on other events.
Reviewed by: Angie A
Quality
Communication
Value
1st Jul 2025
Verified
Response from Teaching Talons (The Animal Ambassadors)
Hi Angie,
Thanks ever so much for taking the time to leave us a review. So kind and we are so glad that everyone enjoyed meeting and learning about our Animal Ambassadors!
Becky5 Star Review
Amazing day and staff were brilliant
We loved having teaching talons for our residents Christmas party, the residents were in love with all the animals. we didnt quite as many residents to see the animlas as there was no time to take chip too see the bed bound residents but this aside, we have already said we want to book them again and are already looking at dates for the new year. fabulous day, fabulous staff and gorgeous animals
Reviewed by: Frances H
Quality
Communication
Value
16th Dec 2024
Verified
Response from Teaching Talons (The Animal Ambassadors)
Hi Frances, thank you ever so much for taking the time to leave us such a lovely review! Yes, it was a really wonderful afternoon and we had a great time meeting everyone and introducing them to the animals. Everyone engaged and enjoyed themselves and were very brave with the more unusual critters. Hopefully we will make it over the road on our next visit, so we can see more residents- the time flew!
Thanks again and have a great Christmas,
Becky5 Star Review
Would highly recommend!
We booked Teaching talons for my son’s 7th birthday and we had a few 3/4 year olds present too. I can’t recommend the whole experience enough! Becky and Yaz were just brilliant with all the children, kept them really engaged and the range of animals and the level of interaction the children could have with them was great. Adults and children were equally captivated! Brilliant, fun and educational party. Thank you so much Teaching Talons!
Reviewed by: Katie S
Quality
Communication
Value
30th Mar 2024
Verified
Response from Teaching Talons (The Animal Ambassadors)
Hi Katie,
Thank you ever so much for taking the time to review us on Add To Event. It is incredibly kind and very helpful to us. We're so glad everyone had such a brilliant time and it was lovely to meet you all!
Becky5 Star Review
Fantastic event
Amazing event for a summer party at my childminding setting. Everyone had smiles in their faces and were in awe of all the wonderful animals. It was delightful the way Teaching Talons staff worked with all age groups of children from babies to 10 year olds and adults. Thank you so much I will definitely be booking for next year soon and make this an annual event.
Reviewed by: Catherine H
Quality
Communication
Value
21st Jul 2023
Verified
Response from Teaching Talons (The Animal Ambassadors)
Hi Catherine,
Thank you so much for taking the time to review us. It's very much appreciated and great to read! It's always important to be flexible when there are a wide range of ages present and more challenging, so it is wonderful that you felt we managed and pitched it well! Great to see the babies giggling away at the animals antics and having the older children up to hold the owl, cuddle the rats, pet the dog and more! Definitely some future animal keepers amongst them! We look forward to working with you again next year.
BeckyAmazing show with great Harry Potter link
We had a Harry Potter pack holiday with our brownies and this just fitted so well with it. We saw and held scanners, Ron’s owl pidqwigeon and the dog at the end was so fun using our wands!
Reviewed by: Helen P
Quality
Communication
Value
18th Jul 2023
Verified
Response from Teaching Talons (The Animal Ambassadors)
Hi Helen, What a lovely surprise and thank you for taking the time to leave such a kind review! We're so glad everyone enjoyed our Care Of Magical Creatures session. We had a brilliant evening too and I hope the girls had a magical weekend. Thanks for having us,
'Professor' BeckyRequest A Quote
Get quotes from Teaching Talons (The Animal Ambassadors) and others within hours.
Takes 2-3 minutes
Similar event suppliers nearby
5.0(38 reviews)• 70 bookings
The Petsman - Animal Encounters
4.7(1 review)• 3 bookings
Wild2you
4 bookings
Exotic Encounters
Get quotes from Teaching Talons (The Animal Ambassadors) and others within hours.
Takes 2-3 minutes