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for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.
| Unit name |
Captive Wildlife Management |
| Unit code |
VETSM0039 |
| Credit points |
20 |
| Level of study |
M/7
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
|
| Unit director |
Ms. Killick |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None
|
| Co-requisites |
None
|
| School/department |
Bristol Veterinary School |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Health Sciences |
Description including Unit Aims
The aim of this unit is to provide a thorough understanding of the principles of maintaining healthy populations of animals in captivity, including housing, nutrition, health, breeding and rearing. The groups to be covered include mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish.
Topics to be covered include enclosure design, environmental enrichment, zoo animal behaviour (including husbandry training), dietary requirements of different species, preventative and diagnostic health (including quarantine, vaccination, parasite and disease control), population management and welfare issues.
The unit will also consider captive breeding programmes for endangered species (including studbook management and the avoidance of inbreeding) and the reintroduction of captive populations to the wild, using case studies and practical examples. Finally the unit aims to give students a critical understanding of international zoo networks and the role of zoos in scientific research and field conservation.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On completing this Unit students should be able to:
- Demonstrate the basic skills needed to manage wild animals in captivity, to include designing appropriate enclosures, providing environmental enrichment and planning and monitoring animal feeding regimes (including for species whose diets are unknown).
- Explain in detail the importance of biosecurity and the use of preventative medicine interventions to maintain the health of captive wild animals
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the principles of coordinating and managing breeding programmes for endangered species.
- Demonstrate a clear and in-depth understanding of the legislation (UK, EU and international) governing the keeping of wild animals in captivity.
- Critically discuss the risk assessment and safety issues involved in keeping wild animals in captivity.
- Explain the role of zoos and international zoo networks in conservation and scientific research.
- Critically evaluate the issues involved in the reintroduction of animals from captive populations into the wild.
Teaching Information
This unit will be delivered using a combination of online activities, seminars, group workshops and sessions run by Bristol Zoo. There will be a strong focus on providing a diversity of online delivery from a wide range of specialist animal keepers, veterinarians, and research staff. The students will be provided with e-resources for this unit through the Blackboard online learning environment. These resources will include additional background reading, supporting material and links to subject-related websites.
Assessment Information
The student's performance on this unit will be assessed using:
- A short design report-based assessment allowing students to demonstrate application of the captive wild animal skills they have learnt such as enclosure design (100%). A draft structure will be reviewed and formative feedback provided prior to submission.
Reading and References
The following are some examples of basic texts - others will be recommended by individual tutors during their teaching sessions:
- Caring for Wildlife: The World Zoo and Aquarium Animal Welfare Strategy (see https://www.waza.org/priorities/animal-welfare/animal-welfare-strategies/)
- Committing to Conservation: The World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy (https://www.waza.org/priorities/conservation/conservation-strategies/)
- Hosey, G., Melfi, V. & Pankhurst, S. (2013) Zoo Animals: Behaviour, Management and Welfare. (2nd Ed.) Oxford University Press.
- Kaufman, A. B., Bashaw, M. J. & Maple, T. L. (eds) (2019) Scientific foundations of zoos and aquariums: their role in conservation and research. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Kleiman, D.G. (2010) Wild Mammals in Captivity: Principles and Techniques for Zoo Management. University of Chicago Press.
- Rees, P.A. (2011) An Introduction to Zoo Biology and Management. Wiley-Blackwell.
- Secretary of State’s Standards of Modern Zoo Practice. Defra. Available online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/secretary-of-state-s-standards-of-modern-zoo-practice
- Young, R.J. (2003) Environmental Enrichment for Captive Animals. (UFAW Animal Welfare). Blackwell Science (UK).
- Zimmermann, A., Hatchwell, M., Dickie, L. & West, C. (2007) Zoos in the 21st Century: Catalysts for Conservation? Cambridge University Press.
