Zoo Keeping


Zoo Keeping

Course Code BEN208
Qualification Statement of Attainment
Payment Options Upfront & Payment Plans
Delivery Online & Correspondence
Duration 100 Hours

Gain the foundation knowledge and skills you will need to start your career in captive animal management. This course is suitable for those already working with captive animals or those wishing to gain entry into this competitive area.
 

Gain the foundation knowledge and skills you will need to start your career in captive animal management. This course is suitable for those already working with captive animals or those wishing to gain entry into this competitive area.  Students will learn about:

  • Animal Welfare
  • Animal Care
  • Diet and Nutrition
  • Enrichment - Environmental and Feeding 
  • Captive Breeding
  • Optimum Enclosure Design 
  • Research and Conservation
  • Educating the Public

There are 9 lessons in this course:

  1. The Nature and Scope of Zoos
    • What is a Zoo?
    • The Evolution of Zoos
    • Change in Zoo Design
    • Modern Zoos and Sanctuaries
    • Legislation
    • Codes of Practices
    • Animal Welfare
    • Enrichment
    • Record Keeping
    • Identification Tags
    • Animal Taxonomy
    • Phylums & Classes of the Animal Kingdom
    • The Function of Zoos
    • Research and Zoos
    • Education in Zoos
  2. Occupational Health and Safety in Zoos
    • Workplace Health & Safety
    • Legislation
    • Health & Safety Management in Zoos
    • Zoonoses
    • Legionnaires Disease
    • Other Safety Issues
    • Risk Management
  3. Captive Husbandry - Nutrition and Feeding
    • Animal Nutrition
    • The Effect of Poor Nutrition on Animal Behaviour
    • Water Requirements
    • Essential Dietary Components
    • Vitamins & Minerals
    • Food Storage & Preparation
    • Presentation of Food
  4. Captive Husbandry - Health
    • Monitoring Health
    • Maintaining Health
    • Diseases
    • Quarantine
    • Record Keeping/Animal Transfer Data
    • Enrichment Data Transfer Form
  5. Captive Husbandry - Reproduction
    • The Need for Captive Breeding
    • Captive Breeding in Zoos
    • Goals of Captive Breeding
    • Issues with Captive Breeding
    • Inbreeding Risks
    • Captive Breeding Programs
    • Monitoring the Reproductive Status of Zoo Animals
    • Assisted Reproduction
    • Stud Books
    • Birth Control and Separation
  6. Captive Husbandry - Behaviour and Enrichment
    • Ethology
    • Behaviour
    • Types of Behaviour
    • Behaviours in Captive Animals
    • Learned Behaviour
    • The Flight or Fight Response
    • Animal Behaviours
    • Animal Welfare Indicators
    • Environmental Influence on Behaviour
    • Behaviour Management
    • Environmental Enrichment
  7. Human-Animal Interactions
    • Keeper-Animal Interactions
    • Visitor Animal Interactions
    • Dealing with Dangerous Animals
    • Flight Distance of Animals
    • Handling Animals
    • Visitor Animal Interactions
    • Stress Reduction
  8. Enclosure Design and Maintenance
    • Optimum Enclosure Design
    • The Perfect Enclosure?
    • Replicating Nature
    • Providing Stimulating Environments
    • Physical Enrichment
    • Feeding Enrichment
    • Sensory Enrichment
    • Social Enrichment
  9. Problem-based Learning Project - Environmental Enrichment
    • Introduction and Definition of PBL
    • Problem Definition
    • Team Structure and Interaction
    • Discussion
    • Resources
    • Guidelines
    • Final Report

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Aims:

  • Describe the nature and scope of zoos as a source of education and conservation
  • Develop appropriate procedures for managing occupational health and safety in a zoo, with a view to minimising risk to staff, animals and visitors
  • Describe the nutritional requirements and feeding preferences of animals within zoos
  • Determine health management measures required for a range of different captive zoo animals
  • Describe the management of breeding in zoos
  • Determine appropriate ways to manage a range of different wild animals in zoos
  • Explain procedures and techniques used to manage human-animal interactions in zoos
  • Identify and describe the qualities of good enclosure design. Develop maintenance programs for different enclosures

For more information about this courses, please request your free course information pack today!

Finance options

If you are an Irish citizen you may be eligible to receive financial support, meaning you can defer payment of your course fees. Additionally, if you are a resident of Ireland, you may also be eligible to receive a student grant under the Student Grant Scheme

Student support

We live in a society where the pressures of daily living are high with financial expenses, personal and work commitments, and mortgage and rental obligations. Then there are the unexpected life challenges that also get thrown our way. With this in mind the thought of taking on study can be daunting for most people. Here at Learning Cloud we understand that life doesn’t run in a straight line it has many ups and downs.

As an enrolled student at Learning Cloud, you are entitled to access a variety of non-academic support services from the Student Services Unit. These supports are designed to walk beside you throughout your studies they will assist you in life’s ups and downs to provide you the best opportunity to successfully complete your chosen course.

STUDENT SERVICES PROGRAMS INCLUDE:

  • Careers Counselling Service
  • General Counselling Service
  • Disability Liaison Service
  • Retention & Engagement Service
  • Student Activities
  • Accommodation
  • E Counselling
  • Your-Tutor
  • Parent support
  • Reasonable Adjustment Plan (RAP)

Call our student support today on 041 214 0000 or Email Faculty

Get more information

Want more information about financial and student support? Fill out the enquiry form to the right and a study consultant will contact you with the details you need.

How will this course advance my career?

Learning Cloud programs have been developed in response to industry demand and are specifically designed to equip graduates with work-ready skills. Each participant will be trained and assessed in theory and in practical tasks and Real-world exercises are used throughout the program.

Studies prove, time and again, that college-educated workers earn more than those with only a high school qualification. College graduates often enjoy additional benefits, including greater job opportunities and promotions. Though the proof for greater earning potential exists, some might wonder whether the cost of the education warrants the overall expense in the long run.

College Graduate vs. Non-Graduate Earnings

The National Centre for Education Statistics (NCES) analyses employee earnings data biennially, according to education level. Findings indicate that workers with a qualification earn significantly more than those without. Since the mid-1980s, education has played a large part in potential wages, with bachelor's degree holders taking home an average of 66% more than those with only a high school diploma do. While college-educated workers' wages have increased over the past two decades, those with only a high school education have seen decreases in annual salaries in the same time period (nces.ed.gov).

How else will I benefit from studying with Learning Cloud?

  • Studying online or distance means you can study where you want and at your own pace.
  • Receive career-focused training with practical, hands-on learning.
  • All course materials are provided and all digital platforms are interactive, work on any device and designed to be fun.
  • Recognition of Prior Learning or Skills Recognition may be available for previous work experience, formal training or qualifications in this field.

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