Advanced Certificate in Zoo Keeping!
This terrific Advanced Certificate in Zoo Keeping gives you a head start above the rest, providing you with knowledge in
animal health care
zoo keeping
vertebrate zoology
animal behaviour
with the choice of four electives which can move your focus from marine animals to natural health care, animal breeding or wildlife conservation and more..
Modules
Note that each module in the Advanced Certificate in Zoo Keeping is a short course in its own right, and may be studied separately.
Industry Project Explained:
This part of the course can be satisfied by attending seminars, conferences or trade shows (ie. industry meetings) or through appropriate work experience.
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Why do we have Zoos?
With changing attitudes towards zoos over the past 30 years, zoos have had to reconsider their purpose and function. Zoos now have to justify their reasons for keeping animals in captivity. Many zoos now recognise three main reasons for keeping animals in zoos, other than for recreational purposes. These are:
• Conservation
• Education
• Research
RESEARCH AND ZOOS
Having intimate access to a variety of animals, zoos are in the desirable position of being able to conduct research and acquire knowledge of these animals and how they live. Research undertaken in zoos is an important part of their conservation strategies. It is now a legal requirement in the UK for zoos to be involved in research that help meet conservation goals. Many of the larger zoos are involved in research which covers a wide range of areas such as
• Animal Health and Nutrition
• Animal Behaviour
• Animal Husbandry Techniques
• Visitor Experiences
• Cooperative Research into Conservation of Threatened Species
• Recovery of Wildlife
• Genetics
• Reproduction
• Self Assessment – how the zoo can improve particular functions.
Many of these zoos share their research information with other zoos and wildlife researchers. This is very important for the improved welfare of both captive and wild animals as well as increasing the effectiveness of zoos. Research can also form the basis for educational resources provided to zoo visitors and the general public.
What is a Good Enclosure?
The optimum design for a zoo enclosure is not necessarily one that replicates the natural habitat of an animal. In reality, enclosure design is generally a compromise between the needs of the animal, zoo keeper and visitors. An enclosure should provide enough space so that the animal does not feel vulnerable or threatened. Flight distances of particular species should be taken into consideration during the design process. Enclosures should also meet the animal’s physiological and psychological needs while allowing zoo staff to carry out routine husbandry procedures safely. Visitors should also enjoy their experience at the enclosure and hopefully learn more about the animal through observation.
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More about the school:
- Established in 1979
- Offices in both Australia and the UK
- Our mantra has always been to make the students learning our top priority -to this end, access to tutors via email and phone is unrestricted and much easier than through many other colleges.
- We collect feedback from students and industry, and respond with continual updating of course notes (We often hear of other unis and colleges handing out notes that have remained unchanged for decades).
- Courses are unique -we write them, and offer through a small select network of affiliated colleges in 5 countries.
- A faculty of over 40 academics -all have university degrees or degree equivalent qualifications, plus significant industry experience; many have Masters degrees or higher qualifications -compare this with other schools
- We believe you cannot take short cuts if you want a "quality" education. This is why our courses are often longer than elsewhere; but it is also why our graduates learn better, retain what they learn for longer, and are often more successful after they graduate.
- We are stable and sustainable. In a world where many institutions are subject to financial and political pressures, ours is a fully independent and privately owned education system
- We believe strongly in the need for Diversity in education. We have a long history and highly respected track record amongst the sort of people who are bringing about change and innovation around the world. ACS courses are not for everyone; but what a boring world it would be if everyone studied the same thing in the same education system. Humanity advances by having a diversity of opinions and lots of variety in the way people think about and see things.
- Our qualification system offers more options and flexibility than most
- Standardised curriculum tends to produce clones; but diversity produces creativity and innovation"
