Gain the skills and knowledge to work with captive animals

Course Duration: 600 hours.

Start Date: Start at any time - study at a pace that suits you, and with full tutor support for the duration of your studies.

Modules: The course comprises 3 Core Modules, and 3 Elective Modules.  Students are to complete 6 modules in total.

THE CORE MODULES

Click on the module titles below for more information on each. 

Students are to complete the following Core Modules:

Animal Health Care VAG100

Learn to identify and describe common signs of ill health and diseases in animals, and the appropriate types of treatment for these.  This 12 lesson module looks at the broader aspects of animal welfare and control as well as codes of practices and the services provided by veterinarians.  The module includes preventative health care, as well as considering routine health treatments (such as de-sexing and castration).  It is concluded with a lesson on animal rehabilitation and recovery.

Zoo Keeping BEN208

This 9 lesson module is looks at the keeping of animals in captivity, in zoos, safari parks and the like.  Students will learn about how zoos have developed and how their designs have changed.  Context is provided by considering what the functions of zoos are, the environmental requirements of captive animals balanced against the requirements to provide habitat and enclosure designs which also enable effective human viewing of specimens.  The module includes lessons which look at animal behaviours, interactions with zoo keepers, the health and nutrition requirements of captive animals as well as the health and safety principles which need to be followed.  The module concludes with a PBL project on Environmental Enrichment, where students will be able to consider and apply what they have learned through their studies. 

Animal Behaviour BAG203

This 8 lesson module teaches students to understand the motivations of behaviour in animals.  It focuses on the behaviour of animals and how the knowledge of this can be applied to handling, training and managing animals.  Students will study the influences of genetics, perceptions, and the environment on animals’ behaviour, understanding also the elements of learned and unlearned behaviour.  

Marine Studies I

Ornithology

Vertebrate Zoology

Animal Husbandry III (Feed and Nutrition)

Diagnosing Animal Diseases

Marine Studies II

Natural Health Care for Animals

Wildlife Conservation 

Wildlife Management 

Animal Breeding

Herpetology

 

Each module can also be studied as a standalone course.

As well as passing all assignments on the course, you are required to complete six examinations. Exams can be taken at a time and location to suit you.  You can find more information on how exams work here.  

 

Animal Welfare Indicators

There are certain things that provide an indication to zookeepers that an animal’s welfare has been compromised. Some of these indicators are subtle and may only be detected by observations made over time. Others may be more obvious. A skilled zookeeper will always be observing the animal populations in their care, and noticing when such indicators appear. These indicators include: 

• Reduced longevity

• Reduced ability to grow or breed

• Body damage (injury)

• Immunosuppression

• Physiological attempts to cope

• Behavioural attempts to cope

• Increased susceptibility to disease

• Behavioural pathology (e.g., stereotypies, apathy, self-mutilation).

Observing behavioural indicators of animal welfare is the preferred method used in zoos as it is non-invasive. There are four major behavioural indicators that can indicate the wellbeing of a particular animal.

• 

  Social interactions, problem solving and observing how the animal learns can provide indication of their state of mind

• Developing abnormal behaviours can show that the animals’ biological processes cannot function properly in their environment.

• Changes in the individual’s nature can be seen if the animal is unable to display behaviours that would come naturally in the wild

• Observing behaviours in conjunction with ethogram information and observations of other individuals of the same species can also be indicators of an animal’s well being.

Detection of a potential problem may not always warrant action immediately; but suspect animals should be watched more closely and a veterinary professional should be consulted when they persist.