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
Our male Sumatran
Orangutan, Puluh
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.
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
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One of our Discovery sessions
in action!
Lesson Plan
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.
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A visitor favourite: ‘Boris’ the
chimpanzee
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.
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
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Students studying bio-artefacts
during a Discovery session.
Zoo Animal Welfare: Exhibits to Visit
Penguins
Islands in
Danger
Joseph Banks Room
Red
Pandas
Cheetah
Realm of the
Red Ape
Fruit Bat
Forest
Education
Centre
Spirit of the
Jaguar
Tsavo
Bird
Safari
Chimpanzees
Giraffes
Elephants
of the Asian
Forest
Monkeys
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Things to arrange prior to visit
▪ Please check the details on your confirmation letter. If you have any
queries please call us on 01244 650205 / 389444.
▪To arrange a pre-visit to the Zoo, contact us on 01244 650205 / 389444 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
http://www.chesterzoo.org/Visit/GettingAround/Access%20facilities.aspx
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Students at a bird feed with a
Presenter in the Tropical Realm
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
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Rainy Day Visits
Aquarium
Islands in
Danger
Grow Zone
Cheetah
Fruit Bat
Forest
Realm of the
Red Ape
Tsavo Black
Rhino
Experience
Tropical
Realm
Spirit of the
Jaguar
Chimpanzees
Secret
World of
the Okapi
Butterfly
Journey
Elephants
of the Asian
Forest
Monkeys
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Students following Explorer
trails in the Zoo
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.
If you are delayed for any reason and may be late for your
teaching session please contact 01244 650205/ 389444. 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 [email protected]
Enjoy your visit!
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