Harriet Barker: A shark tale

Harriet Barker (right) diving with sharks

Harriet Barker, has got up close and personal with sharks in her bid to learn more about the mammals, and become a wildlife conservationist.

Harriet, from Rochdale, was given the dive experience, which took place at the Blue Planet Aquarium, as a Christmas present.

Whilst most people might be nervous about diving with sharks, Harriet was definitely not. In fact, her keen interest and numerous questions to the staff at the aquarium lead them to offer her a volunteering placement at the aquarium, which she hopes to start in the next few months.

The enthusiasm Harriet showed during the dive is a result of her passion for wildlife. Ever since she was a young child she has wanted to work with animals, a passion she shared with her granddad in particular, who she credits as probably getting her hooked on wildlife. As a result, after leaving school she signed up to study animal management at college, and with the help of her tutors, she decided that it was a career in wildlife conservation that was for her.

Harriet has since applied for a place at Salford University to study wildlife conservation and zoo biology and has already been offered an unconditional place on the course. Her spare time is also filled with animal related activities – she already has an impressive array of experience behind her. She has so far worked with elephant conservationist in Sri Lanka where she helped look after the elephants, she has qualified as an advance PADI open water diver and been on diving trips to the Caribbean and Egypt. Harriet has even enjoyed a safari in Africa and will later this year take part in a five week placement in South Africa to help monitor and prevent wildlife poaching.

Harriet said: “I’ve always been interested in animals and a career in wildlife conservation is definitely my goal. The College has been instrumental in encouraging me and supporting me with my career plans and I can’t thank everyone there enough.”