Animal care staff enhance skills at industry workshop held at zoological park

Coleg Sir Gâr and Coleg Ceredigion teaching staff took part in a two-day industry workshop at Wild Zoological Park where they were given some insight into the latest industry practices relating to animal welfare on a range of zoological animals including marmosets and lemurs. 

This training was funded by the Industry Pathway Funding initiative which helps keep staff connected to the latest practices within any given industry and although the colleges house some animals on site, zoological collections require specialist care. 

Wild Zoological Park near Dudley was the venue for the training and it was run by zoo behaviour consultant, Nicky Plaskitt.

Sara Morris, lecturer in animal studies at Coleg Sir Gâr said: “The training involved a variety of methods on a range of zoological species. The methods were positively reinforced through positive behaviour management and included crate training coatis, station training white storks, scale training marmosets and syringe training ring tailed lemurs through protective contact.

“The need for these training methods and practices can be incorporated into our own species in out college collections. We can positively reinforce a range of other species to then replicate the same methods as to not cause them further harm or stress. For example, station training our rabbits can allow visual health checks to be undertaken in a way to not cause further stress on the animals.”

This activity, which was open to other organisations, also provided the opportunity for staff to network with zoo owners, behavioural specialists and meet staff from the likes of Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park in Scotland.

Both colleges offer provision in animal care, from level one to pre-university level three, an online level four qualification and at Coleg Sir Gâr, a foundation degree in animal science and an honours degree in animal welfare and behaviour.

Students on animal related courses at both colleges have access to zoological collections such as these with industry links. 

Staff have returned enthusiastically with lots of new ideas of how to develop and implement these industry practices within their own collection of animals.