Students will take a close look at how the breeding programme works in zoos and why they are vital in the conservation of endangered species. We will look at colour mutations in big cats– predicting the colour of our jaguar breeding pairs young! To finish students will get to have a go at a stud book activity.
Why is conservation so important? Discover how threatened some of our cat species are using our interactive IUCN red list game. Investigate the major threats to global big cat populations and learn why so many are endangered. See what is happening worldwide to help secure a future for big cats and how we can do our bit to help at home!
Find out how we keep the residents of The Big Cat Sanctuary stimulated both mentally and physically using a range of environmental enrichment types. Throughout the session analyse enrichment types and how they benefit different big cat species. Using videos of the cats here at The Big Cat Sanctuary we will test your understanding of different enrichment categories, and staff permitting, students might get to make some enrichment themselves!
Learn about the different careers within the field of wildlife conservation and zoos and find out what skills, qualifications and experience you will need to succeed in one of these roles. Our interviews with members of staff give an insight into their roles and how they got into the industry. We finish off the session with a fun task designed to test important skills in the field and find your wildlife career profile!
(The Role of Modern Zoos) What is the role of modern zoos in conservation? In this session students will learn about the history of zoos and how The Big Cat Sanctuary came to be. Find out what we need to do to ensure the best lives for the cats in our care. There is also an opportunity to design an enclosure!
This workshop looks in depth at the different parts of the illegal wildlife trade and how this impacts wild cat species. We will explore poaching and trophy hunting, the fur trade and the exotic pet trade, as well as initiatives to combat these issues.
Please note, this workshop is aimed at older students due to the nature of the content.
Have you ever wondered what the meaning behind pacing behaviour is? Or a cat’s body position? This workshop explores different cat behaviours and the concepts of animal training, from target training and positive reinforcement. Using a non-invasive observational study, learn how to evaluate an animals’ behaviour when presented with a stimulus.
Should we have zoos? This workshop explores the ethical dilemmas that zoos and conservation face. Students will practice their debate skills for and against zoos. They will also be presented with a range of ethical dilemmas that they will need to come up with solutions for, in the role of a zoo ethics board.
How is climate change impacting wildlife? We will explore the past, present and future of planet Earth and its creatures. We will look at how climate has changed in history, how humans are impacting it, and most importantly – how we can help!
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