A FORMER St John's School pupil turned zookeeper has set his sights on running the London Marathon to raise money for the conservation of critically endangered rhinos.

Ever since Jack Gradidge, 24, left the Marlborough School, after growing up on a farm near Oare, he has had a passion for the conservation of endangered species.

Now as a zookeeper who works with critically endangered rhinos at Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo in South Wales, he is trying to raise £1,500 for Save the Rhino International and raise awareness of rhino poaching and their dwindling numbers.

"It should be a tough challenge but I am determined to do the best I can and raise money and awareness about the threat of rhino poaching that has meant there are just five species of the animal," said Mr Gradidge.

"I grew up on a farm so I have always had a love for animals. Now that I am a zookeeper, my job takes me all over the world, such as Australia, Indonesia and Singapore, where we learnt about different types of rhinos, how to conserve them and the horrors of poaching.

"I am up to the 14-mile point in terms of training and although there is a way to go, I am feeling good."

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