Captive Vertebrate Management

Graduate Diploma

BIO440- Reproduction Biology

Lecturer - Dr Geoff Dutton, School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University
Point Value: 8

Successful reproduction is essential for population survival.
To understand those processes that determine population increase or decrease it is vital to understand the external and internal factors which affect reproductive function. This subject provides the student with the necessary background, knowledge and practical skills of reproductive biology for use in the management of captive and small isolated populations of birds and mammals.
Introductory information on male and female reproductive systems, reproductive patterns and environmental effects on reproduction will be studied. Students will also learn and be given the opportunity to practice various reproductive technologies useful for assessing the fertility, and for increasing reproductive potential, in captive mammalian populations. To give students an appreciation for the diversity of reproduction that exists amongst birds and mammals, representative species from a range of taxa will be considered. Priority will be given to those species most commonly found in Australian zoos, wildlife parks and aquariums.

BIO437- Captive Avian Management

Lecturer - Dr Maggie Watson, School of Environmental Sciences, Charles Sturt University
Point Value: 8

While this subject covers the general principles of aviculture, the emphasis is on the role of aviculture in conservation. The general principles of housing, husbandry, nutrition, diet, breeding, health and diseases will be examined as an introduction to specialised studies of avian enrichment, captive breeding for conservation including reintroduction case studies, and care and rehabilitation of injured birds.

BIO445- Captive Animal Behaviour

Lecturer - Margaret Hawkins, Life Sciences, Taronga Zoo.
Point Value: 8
In recent years a practical knowledge of animal behaviour and the effects of captivity on behaviour have been recognised as essential for the good management of vertebrates in captivity. The psychological well-being of captive animals, though still difficult to measure, is as important as physical health and genetic variability. Relevant aspects of the behaviour of vertebrate species in the wild will be examined, together with how these behaviours can be affected by captivity. The practical applications of the collection and use of behavioural data, operant conditioning and environmental enrichment in husbandry will be explored with particular reference to the maintenance of behaviour repertoires in captivity and to behavioural problem solving.

BIO446- Captive Reptilian Management

Lecturer – Chris Banks, Curator of Herpetofauna, Primates and Education Melbourne Zoo
Point Value: 8

This subject covers the general principles of the management of reptiles in captivity. The general principles of housing, husbandry, nutrition, diet, breeding, and health and disease will be examined for each of the reptilian groups. These studies will lead into more specialised studies of selected groups including enrichment, captive breeding for conservation including reintroduction case studies, and the care and rehabilitation of injured reptiles.

BIO447 – Captive Animal Health

Lecturer – Associate Professor Shane Raidal, School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University
Point Value: 8

This subject deals with the issue of keeping captive animals healthy. It covers areas such as parasitology, pathology, nutrition, stress, reproduction, health monitoring and preventative medicine. It incorporates not only those disease processes which are significant for intensive captive facilities but those which are significant for larger more extensive facilities such as exclusion zones and isolated nature refuges.