Wildlife Management

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

60 hours

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Biology of Australian mammals and birds

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It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Subject Coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

Prospective students are advised to familiarise themselves with the Faculty of Veterinary Science’s Academic Requirements Statement and information about Students Experiencing Disability

Topics that will be covered in this course include:

• Biological and legal definitions of wildlife and the goals of management;
• Population dynamics and the measurement of abundance; the roles of competition, predation, harvesting and disease in the regulation of populations;
• Physical and chemical techniques of capture and restraint;
• Management of overabundant and pest species (native and exotic) including lethal (poisons, shooting, pathogens) and non-lethal (deterrents, fertility control, relocation) methods of control; methods of euthanasia and ethical considerations;
• Management of threatened species, including roles of habitat loss, predation and disease in population declines, management of small populations in the wild and in captivity.

The first introductory session will take place on the main campus at Parkville. Subsequent sessions will be held at different internal and external locations. At each session, the detailed instructions for the subsequent session will be given, together with any additional reading material. Session will run every alternate (almost) Tuesday afternoon in 1st Semester. Most sessions will start at 12.00p.m. and end between 6.00p.m. and 10.00 p.m.

A number of key topics in wildlife management will be covered on each site visit. Staff from a variety of agencies that manage wildlife in Victoria will present an outline of their management programs and will provide detailed information about specific management issues and activities. Different aspects of the same topic will be covered at different sites depending upon the species of animal or management system involved. On each of these afternoons there will be practical activities designed to reinforce the theoretical aspects of the material being covered.

• An advanced understanding of environmental issues
• Advanced skills and techniques applicable to changing and managing the environment
• An ability to evaluate and synthesise research and professional literature in the chosen stream or focus of study
• An advanced understanding of the international context and sensitivities of environmental assessment

(10%) Attendance and participation in field trips and workshops.

(15%) A 15 minute presentation (10 minute talk and 5 minute question period) on the topic to be covered in the individual assignment. The presentation may be on an individual topic or part of one covered by a group, but must have an identifiable individual component. Presentations will be held at the end of semester.

(75%) A 4,000-word individual assignment in the form of a paper. The topic is to be arranged, in consultation with staff. The deadline for submissions is two weeks after the end of the semester.

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This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Apply critical and analytical skills to the identification and resolution of problems;
• Communicate effectively;
• Have good time management skills; and
• Demonstrate intellectual honesty and ethical values.