Exotic Animal Health and Husbandry for Vocational and Diploma Studies Learning Resource: Zoo Animal Welfare Information and guidance for teachers Contents Learning Objectives Curriculum links Lesson plan Plan a route Things to arrange prior to visit The day of your trip: arriving at the Zoo Your teaching session Chester Zoo supports Black Rhino conservation in Kenya

One of our Discovery sessions in action! Exotic Animal Health and Husbandry for Vocational and Diploma Studies Learning Resource: Zoo Animal Welfare Learning Objectives After attending this session, students will be able to: Explain the importance of good Animal Welfare in Zoos and the standards that must be adhered to. Discuss the importance of good nutrition, enclosure design, health care and research in meeting welfare requirements of animal. Outline how the welfare needs of the species in one particular Zoo exhibit are met. Our male Sumatran Orangutan, Puluh Curriculum Links Understand the Principles and carry out practice of exotic animal health and husbandry. Responsibilities Reasons for keeping an exotic animal: conservation and education Health and Welfare Health indicators: signs of good/ poor health, disease prevention, and treatment. Welfare: enrichment and accommodation Accommodation Specific housing and nutritional requirements Back to top

A visitor favourite: ‘Boris’ the chimpanzee This taught session complements the web-based learning resource that students will be able to access anytime, prior / post their visit to Chester Zoo. This taught lesson forms part of a day in the Zoo which is guided by a work book. The taught session will take place in the classroom and using a range of bio-artefacts, group activities, audiovisuals and referring to numerous Zoo examples, the following topics will be covered. ▪ Importance of Good Animal Welfare Legislation relating to animal welfare in zoos The ‘Five Freedoms’ of animal welfare ▪ Animal Nutrition The use of diet sheets in the Zoo An example of a diet that changes with age of animal An example of a diet that was changed to improve welfare of animal ▪ Enclosure Design Factors to consider when designing an enclosure for an animal in the Zoo. ▪ Animal Health Care Role of the zoo keeper Role of a zoo vet ▪ Animal Behaviour The role of research in the Zoo An example of how research can be used to improve animal welfare in the Zoo. The use of environmental enrichment at Chester Zoo. ▪ Animal Welfare Case Study An in-depth look at the welfare requirements of the species housed in the Tsavo Bird Safari, and how they are met. This taught component will complement the student’s visit to the exhibit as part of the workbook. The lesson can be provided either before or after the Tsavo Bird Safari visit and data collection exercise has taken place. Lesson Plan Back to top

Animal Contact Sessions Some Discovery sessions may include a live animal and /or a selection of bio-artefacts. Please inform us in advance of any allergies or phobias that may be affected by this. An antibacterial foam handwash will be offered to all students at the end of the session, and hand washing facilities are available in each class room. Students studying bio-artefacts during a Discovery session. Back to top Plan a route This session focuses very much on Chester Zoo and the species that are housed here. A variety of animals are discussed during this session but there is a particular focus on: The Tsavo Bird Safari and also the Red Panda, Asian Elephant, Rodrigues Fruit Bat, Sumatran and Bornean Orangutans, Cheetah, Giraffe, Komodo Dragon and Humboldt’s Penguin. The ‘Zoo Vets: The Inside Story’ exhibition will be on display in the Joseph Banks room from May 2010 so pop in to find out more about the work of the Zoo’s vet team. A presenter will be on hand to answer questions. See map on the next page for location of exhibits

Zoo Animal Welfare: Exhibits to Visit Cheetah Giraffes Islands in Danger Fruit Bat Forest Monkeys Education Centre Elephants of the Asian Forest Joseph Banks Room Chimpanzees Penguins Spirit of the Jaguar Realm of the Red Ape Red Pandas Tsavo Bird Safari Back to top

Things to arrange prior to visit ▪ Please check the details on your confirmation letter. If you have any queries please call us on / ▪To arrange a pre-visit to the Zoo, contact us on / for details. ▪ Arrange appropriate number of group leaders and collate contact details. ▪ Assign students to a group leader, ensure students and leaders know the running plan for the day, have staff contact details and map of the Zoo ▪ Ensure group leaders have a plan for the day including; student names, time and location of teaching session (e.g. a copy of the confirmation letter) and where to meet, if necessary, after the session as well as a map of the Zoo. Special Educational Needs We welcome pupils with special needs. Please notify us of their requirements in advance, so that we can tailor our programmes to your pupils' needs. Additionally, please inform us of any wheelchair users in the group or any specific allergies that we should be aware of. For more information on disabled access please refer to the Zoo website at Students at a bird feed with a Presenter in the Tropical Realm Back to top

Sheba is our oldest Asian Elephant at over 50 years of age! The day of your trip: arriving at the Zoo ▪ Please help us to make your entrance to the Zoo as smooth as possible ▪ Allow plenty of time to get to and into the Zoo. It can take over 30 minutes to enter the Zoo and reach the Education Centre, particularly at busy times of year. ▪ On arrival the group leader only should approach the main gate with the confirmation letter. Students and other staff should remain on the coach. ▪ This provides an ideal opportunity for another member of staff to run through itinerary for the day with students and helpers, to hand out work sheets, information, maps, talk times etc. ▪ Once the paperwork has been completed the group leader can collect the group from the coach to be counted into the Zoo by Gate Staff. ▪ There are toilets at the main entrance both inside and outside the Zoo. Rainy day – indoor enclosures The Aquarium, Tropical Realm, Fruit Bat Forest, Spirit of the Jaguar, Islands in Danger, Realm of the Red Ape and Butterfly Journey are all heated, indoor exhibits. Additionally, Macaws, Chimpanzees, Giraffes, Elephants of the Asian Forests, Tsavo Black Rhino Experience, Monkeys, Tsavo Bird Safari and Miniature Monkeys all have undercover viewing. See map on next page for location of exhibits Back to top

Rainy Day Visits Cheetah Butterfly Journey Islands in Danger Fruit Bat Forest Monkeys Elephants of the Asian Forest Chimpanzees Spirit of the Jaguar Realm of the Red Ape Tsavo Black Rhino Experience Secret World of the Okapi Tropical Realm Aquarium Grow Zone Back to top

Your teaching session ▪ Sessions are run in 3 classrooms all located in the Education Centre next to the Spirit of the Jaguar exhibit. ▪ Please be aware that it can take 30+ minutes to cross the zoo particularly at busy times of year. ▪ On arrival at the Education Centre please wait outside the appropriate room (Cook, Columbus or Cousteau), as stated on your booking confirmation, for an Education Officer to greet you. Please don’t block doorways to education classrooms as there may be classes about to leave. ▪ Each teaching session will last approximately 50 minutes. There is plenty of open space for lunches outside the Education Centre. On rainy days there is an indoor picnic area next door to the Arara café near the Education Centre. ▪ There are toilets opposite the Spirit of the Jaguar house just past the Education Centre. Students following Explorer trails in the Zoo If you are delayed for any reason and may be late for your teaching session please contact / We may be able to help! If you have found this information useful or think there is something that we could add to help your day run smoothly please let us know at Enjoy your visit! Back to top