Unit information: Behaviour, Welfare, Ethics and Law for Wildlife Professionals in 2014/15

Unit name	Behaviour, Welfare, Ethics and Law for Wildlife Professionals
Unit code	VETSM0043
Credit points	10
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Professor. Main
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	Attendance on VETSMNEW9 - "Biology of Behaviour and Welfare"
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Bristol Veterinary School
Faculty	Faculty of Health Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

The unit is intended to be an introduction to applied animal behaviour, animal welfare science, ethics and law relevant to wildlife management and health. It will include demonstration and consideration of how animal behaviour can be applied to practical problems in wildlife conservation, and how animal welfare science can be applied to tackle health and management problems in captivity. In addition, the students will learn to illustrate and reflect on welfare problems, demonstrating their attitude to wildlife welfare, and their recognition and analysis of ethical and legal dilemmas affecting wildlife health and management worldwide.

The aim of this unit is to enable students to develop an understanding of the practical application of animal behaviour, and of the fundamental concepts of animal welfare science, ethics and law as they relate to global wildlife health and management.

Intended Learning Outcomes

The student will be able to:

1. Apply knowledge of animal behaviour to practical problems in wildlife health and management.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the various definitions of animal welfare and a working understanding of the main models of animal welfare.
3. Explain and critique the methodologies used to measure animal welfare including physiological measurements.
4. Relate how welfare impact is determined in individuals and groups of captive and free-living wild animals including trade-offs between these levels.
5. Critically evaluate current methods for improving the welfare of wild animals in captivity
6. Show understanding of the most widely used ethical frameworks (Five Freedoms and Three Rs) and their application to captive wildlife.
7. Relate how ethical decisions are made in wildlife management and health, including awareness of stakeholder positions and conflicts.
8. Demonstrate awareness and broad understanding of professional ethics relevant to wildlife professionals.
9. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of regulatory law (including how it relates to wild animals) and the role of different parties in this; show awareness of EU law and explain how EU Directives are transposed into UK law.
10. Give an overview of basic of the principal tenets and remit of anticruelty law including the 1911 (1912 Scotland) Act and the Animal Welfare Act, and explain the role of the expert witness.
11. Show an understanding of the concept of ‘duty of care’ as it applies to captive wild animals.

Teaching Information

Combination of lectures, seminars, practicals, and self-guided learning.

Assessment Information

Assessment will be by a combination of in-course work (60%) and by an end-of-unit written examination (40%).

The in-course work will consist of two application tasks (20%, ILOs 1,8) and 10 case exposures (40%, all ILOs). Formative feedback will be provided after the first three case exposures. The remaining seven will be formally assessed. Each will have a case number and date followed by a short paragraph under each of the following subheadings:

Presenting the scenario

Underlying issue or cause

Action taken

Outcome

Identification, reflection and conclusion on scientific, ethical and legal considerations, dilemmas and/or problems relating to animal welfare in the situation. This may include discussion of behavioural and practical elements where appropriate.

An upper limit of 1,000 words will apply to any case exposure and most will be substantially shorter. Cases should be based on the candidate’s personal experience or intended employment.

It is permissible for individual case exposures to emphasise one aspect (behaviour and welfare science, ethics or law) primarily, though each case exposure should make reference to all three. Each aspect should form the primary focus for at least 3 cases within the final portfolio. Cases must cover a broad range of animal species and scenarios.

Reading and References

• Gosling, L. M. & Sutherland, W. J. 2000. Behaviour and Conservation. Cambridge University Press.Appleby, MC and Hughes BO. 1997. Animals Welfare CAB International. Wallingford, UK
• Broom, D. M. and Johnson K. G. 1993. Stress and Animal Welfare. Chapman and Hall, London.
• Dawkins, M. S. 1981. Animal Suffering: the Science of Animal Welfare. Chapman and Hall, London.
• Radford, M. 2001. Animal Welfare Law in Britain, Oxford University Press. Oxford.