History / Background

introduction

With over 40 years experience David Manning started Animal Ark in Australia in 2006. Previously in the UK the organisation was a specialist media consultancy, advising on, providing training, and handling all sorts of creatures for film, television, and the wider media. See our Film, TV & Media page for our extensive list of clients & credits!

In Australia for 20 years we have established ourselves as a leading wildlife education and training provider in Australia for major corporations, mine sites, shires, and individuals.

In 2012 David, Founder and Director of Animal Ark, was awarded a prestigious Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship – expanding his knowledge to enhance and improve training methodologies and equipment used in Australia.

Our mission is to provide top-quality wildlife education that emphasizes safety, conservation, and respect for the animals we share our environment with.

We train with the latest equipment for optimum safety and welfare of trainee and snakes, including equipment that we at Animal Ark have custom designed for the safety of trainee and welfare of animal.

David Manning – Churchill Fellowship Award

July 2012: Research Award for David Manning

Research Award for David Manning of Animal Ark
Churchill Fellow 2012
Striving for excellence

David Manning Founder and Director of Animal Ark was awarded a prestigious Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship.

David was able to travel abroad with this fully funded fellowship allowing him to gain extra experience in his area of expertise and return with great benefits for both Animal Ark and the wider Australian community.

The official project title was: Investigation and comparison of Snake Management Techniques, Tools, First Aid and educational programmes.

David Manning – Churchill Fellowship Award

April 2013: Year of the Snake Man Returns

David Manning was back from his travels just in time to see in 2013, Year of the Snake.

His trip, funded by the Churchill Fellowship Trust, allowed him to conduct snake-related research in South Africa, Botswana and the USA over a period of 6 weeks.

“Catching and measuring Cape Cobras and Puff Adders during my 2 week reptile safari in the Western Cape was a huge learning curve for me, and attending a snake handling and safety course in Botswana, amongst rhino, zebra and antelope, is what dreams are made of. In the US I had the opportunity to visit world-class reptile-keeping facilities and venom laboratories to see how both the animals and staff are looked after.

My travels gave me the chance to meet and work with leading reptile ecologists and see up close the challenges that face those working with these enigmatic creatures. I was also able to oversee and become involved in the educational programs offered to the public at several locations, allowing me to reflect upon and hopefully improve those offered back here in Australia.

From school visits to the vast resource industry in WA, with increased education I am certain we can all live with and understand snakes and other wildlife, achieving a better and safer outcome for both us and them”.

Read David’s full Churchill Fellowship report
Visit The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust website.

Our services

Our mission is to provide top-quality wildlife education that emphasizes safety, conservation, and respect for the animals we share our environment with.

Our team of experienced trainers offer specialised courses and services to help you understand, appreciate, and safely handle fauna, including venomous snakes.