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Course profile

Captive Wildlife Management & Husbandry (ANIM7016)

Study period
Sem 1 2025
Location
External
Attendance mode
Online

Course overview

Study period
Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
Study level
Postgraduate Coursework
Location
External
Attendance mode
Online
Units
2
Administrative campus
Gatton
Coordinating unit
The Environment School

Nutrition, health, behaviour, breeding, husbandry and management of Australian wildlife in zoos and wildlife parks and farms. Evidence of immunity to Q fever is mandatory for this course. Refer to UQ Student Immunisation Requirements for more information. External mode of study is restricted and will require permission to enrol. To request permission email environment@enquire.uq.edu.au with the course information and include relevant supporting evidence.

Eligibility criteria:

1. Students must show evidence that travel time of greater than 90 minutes or 100km from Gatton Campus and is reflected in mySI-net: Acceptable Evidence advice that MySi-net record is up to date; 2. Students must show evidence that work commitments restrict their ability to attend regular practicals: Acceptable Evidence a letter from employer

3. Students with core course timetable clashes: Acceptable Evidence a copy of correspondence from Science My Timetable indicating clash is unable to be resolved. Clashes with elective courses will not be considered.

4. Students unable to provide this evidence will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Zoo and aquarium science is the scientific study of the management and husbandry of wildlife populations that live in zoos, wildlife parks, aquariums, and rehabilitation centres. This course is intended to provide students with an interest in becoming a manager of captive vertebrate species or zoo professional with an introduction to zoo biology, an understanding of the way the zoo community functions and knowledge of wildlife husbandry. The course is structured into two main streams, the management principles of zoos and the husbandry of selected species, with a deliberate focus on Australian wildlife. 

Topics covered include:ᅠ(1) The history of zoos, (2) The purpose and popularity of zoos, (3) Zoo exhibit design, (4) Zoo organisations and legislation, (5) Collection planning, (6) An introduction to zoo animal management software (ZIMS), (7) The principles of zoo animal nutrition and feeding, (8) Small population demographic and genetic management, (9) An introduction to reproductive management, (10) Behavioural enrichment, (11)ᅠZoo animal restraint, (12) Zoo animal training and conditioning, (13) The principles and application of preventive veterinary care of zoo animals, (14) Amphibian husbandry, (15) Reptile husbandry,ᅠ(16) Crocodile husbandry and handling, (17) Avian husbandry, (18) Echidna husbandry, (19) Dasyuridae husbandry, (20) Wombat husbandry, (21) Koala husbandry, (22) Macropod husbandry, (23) Marine mammal husbandry, (24) The role of the wildlife hospital and (25) The role of ex situ conservation - Save the Bilby.

A major highlight of the course will be the student's exposure and introductory training to the ZIMS animal management software (a key component of management in modern zoos) - this skill setᅠis highly desirable when applying for positions in the globalᅠzoo industry. Other workshops include; practical genetic management, behavioural enrichment and an introduction to recent advances in the practical use of veterinary technology in the zoo industry. 

An exciting feature of the course is the inclusion of a broad range of zoo professionals (curators and zookeepers) as guest lectures and UQ academics with active research programs in zoos. 

Students will also have the opportunity (non-compulsory) to experience and develop ᅠ"hands on" animal husbandry skills at UQ Gatton's Native Animal Wildlife Teaching and Research Facility.ᅠ

This course has mandatory immunisation requirements due to an increased risk of Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) for students working with animals or in agricultural environments. Students will be asked to provide evidence of immunity to Q fever via my.UQ My Requests as a condition of enrolment in this course. Refer to UQ Student Immunisation Requirements for more information.

Course requirements

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

ANIM2055 (co-taught)

Restrictions

Restricted to students who meet mandatory immunisation requirements.
External offering requires permission to enrol.

Course contact

Course staff

Lecturer

Guest lecturer

Ms Christina Markham
Mr Robby McLeod
Dr Michael Pyne
Mr Kevin Bradley

Tutor

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

PLEASE NOTE:ᅠ The lecture and practical timetables may change slightlyᅠduring the semester. These changes will be notified to students at the lectures and on Blackboard. Lectures will be a mix of on-campus and virtual delivery to provide flexibility to some of our guest lecturers.

Participation in a "hands-on" husbandry training session at the Native Wildlife Training and Research Facility (UQ Gatton) is non-compulsory. ᅠA roster for the husbandry training sessions will be available early in semester and all sessions will be scheduled in the afternoon (2 - 5pm). ᅠThese sessions may be dependent on staff availability. The 'hands on' husbandry training sessions have been identified as high-risk activities for Q-fever exposure. If a student wishes to part-take in the non-compulsory husbandry sessions then they will need to be vaccinated.

Attendance is compulsory for all scheduled practicals/tutorials (3 practicals on-campus at UQ Gatton and 1 practical at Hidden Vale Wildlife Centre).