Lesson Structure:  Wildlife Management BEN205

There are 9 lessons:

1.  Introduction to Wildlife Management
   • What is Wildlife Management
   • Approaches to Wildlife Management (Preservation, Conservation, Management)
   • Purpose of Wildlife Management
   • Goals
   • Decision Making (Who makes decisions, Making good decisions)
   • Needs of Wildlife
   • What’s a Good Habitat
   • Limiting factor
   • Carrying capacity
   • Landscape Fragmentation
   • Habitat Diversity
   • Arrangement
   • Biological Control
   • Integrated Pest Management
2. Wildlife Ecology
   • Ecology (Mutualism, Commensalisms, Competition, Predation, parasitism, herbivoury)
   • Behavioural Ecology
   • Population Ecology
   • Community Ecology
   • Ecosystem Ecology
   • Interactions within a Community
   • Competition
   • Predation
   • Parasitism
   • Commensalism
   • Mutualism
   • The Food Web (Derital Web,
   • Grazing Web, Trophic Levels)
   • Energy Flow
   • Imbalances
3. Wildlife Habitats
   • Introduction
   • Classification of Habitats
   • Biomes, Ecosystems, Microclimates
   • Timbered Biomes (Boreal Forest/ Taiga, Temperate Forest, Tropical Forest, Woodland)
   • Scrubland
   • Tropical Savannah
   • Temperate Grassland
   • Artic Tundra
   • Alpine
   • Semi-desert
   • Desert
   • Man Made Biomes (Urban, Agricultural)
   • Wet Biomes (Mangrove, Rivers, Benthos, Pelagic, Continental Shelf, Coral Reef,
   • Animal Use of Features in Biomes (Trees, Logs, Surface Rocks and Ground Cover, Creeks, Wetlands and Dams)
   • Case Studies
   • Changes to Habitats (Physical, Biological, Pollution)
   • Water for Wildlife
   • Siting Water Points
   • Managing Trees
   • Deforestation
   • Afforestation
4. Population Dynamics
   • Populations
   • Birth or Fecundity Rate
   • Death or Mortality Rate
   • Growth Rate
   • Life Tables
   • Cohort or Dynamic Life Tables (Age Specific)
   • Static or Time Specific Life Tables
   • Rodents
   • Squirrels
   • Rabbits
   • Mosquitoes
   • Grasshoppers
   • Case Studies of different animals in different countries
5. Carrying Capacity
   • Introduction
   • Exponential Population Growth
   • What is Carrying Capacity
   • Fisheries stock management (stock Identification, assessment, biomass)
   • Stock Management Methods
6. Wildlife Censuses
   • Introduction and census types
   • Total Counts
   • Sampling (Simple Random, Stratified Random, Systemic, Two Stage, Double sampling)
   • Accuracy vs Precision
   • Bias Errors
   • Aerial Surveys
   • Trapping
   • Transects
   • Indirect Methods
   • Mark-Recapture method
   • Roadside and Call Counts
   • Mapping
   • Sampling methods for specific types of animals (ie. Fish, Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, Invertebrates, Mammals etc.)
   • Animal Ethics
   • Case Study
7. Wildlife Management Techniques
   • Habitat Modification
   • Fire
   • Vegetation Management
   • Predator Control
   • Habitat Features
   • Seeding
   • Population Monitoring
   • Captive Breeding and Release
   • Culling and Cropping
   • Control of pest or undesirable wildlife species
   • Control Objectives
   • Effects of Control
   • Control Techniques (Manipulating mortality, fertility, Genetiv Engineering, indirect methods)
8. Wildlife Management Law and Administration
   • Policy and Wildlife Law
   • International Environmental Law
   • Treaties
   • International Customary Laws
   • Hard vs Soft Law
   • Domestic/National Law
   • Evolving Domestic Law
   • Sources of Legislation
   • Environmental Ethics
   • Enforcement
9. Wildlife Management Case Study Research Project
   • Problem Based Learning Project with following aims:
   • Identify the objectives of a management program for an endangered species.
   • Determine appropriate techniques for carrying out a census of an endangered species.
   • Identify techniques for increasing the population of the endangered species.
   • Identify pest species and their undesirable effect on the endangered species of bird.
   • Identify techniques for reducing the undesirable impacts of the pest species on the endangered bird.
   • Present a management plan in a form that is appropriate for use by wildlife workers.

Please Note:  Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Learning Goals:  Wildlife Management BEN205

• Develop a concept of how man manages wildlife populations in different situations around the world.
• Understand and discuss the principles of wildlife ecology.
• Understand wildlife habitats and their importance to managing wildlife.
• Explain how populations of any one species change and adapt to variations in their environment.
• Understand carrying capacity and its importance in managing wildlife populations.
• Explain a range of different methods used to determine the number of individuals in a wildlife population.
• Discuss a range of different wildlife management techniques.
• To understand the potentials and limitations of legal and administrative initiatives, in the pursuance of more effective wildlife management.
• Examine a specific wildlife management case of interest to the student.

Practicals:

• Contact (either in person, email or by telephone) an organisation involved in wildlife management such as a National Park,
  wildlife reserve, zoo, etc to research their wildlife management program.
• In your locality, find out about one pest species of wildlife and one endangered or threatened species of native wildlife. Research
  what happened to make these animals pests or endangered.
• Visit a natural area in your locality and observe the organisms in the area and their interactions with each other and the environment.
• Explain what trophic levels are and how energy flows between them.
• Define habitat, biome, vegetation formation and feeding radius.
• Visit a zoo, wildlife park, game reserve, pet shop, fauna sanctuary or other place where wild animals are kept in captivity to observe the
  animals in their captive surroundings and compare these with their native surroundings.
• Identify a predator-prey relationship between two species in a local ecosystem and make predictions about changes to this relationship.
• Research the difference between r and K strategists in animals.
• Design a wildlife survey using a suitable sampling technique. Write this survey up as a mini scientific report containing an Abstract/Project
  Summary, Methods and materials section, Results/Discussion and Conclusion.
• Research the success of one wildlife program where wildlife have been bred in captivity and then released.
• Draw up a table that lists the advantages and disadvantages of allowing hunting to proceed in game parks where the animals being
  hunted are native to the area.
• Telephone or contact a wildlife management agency in your area to determine the relevant local, regional, national and international laws
  that apply to wildlife in your locality.
• Prepare a report of no less than 1000 words on a population of animals surveyed during the course.
• Telephone or contact a wildlife management agency in your area to determine the relevant local, regional, national and international laws
  that apply to wildlife in your locality.
• Prepare a report of no less than 1000 words on a population of animals surveyed during the course.

Please Note:   Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the Academy, marked by the Academy's tutors
and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Gain all important hands-on experience with wildlife animals, to add to your CV whilst you are studying your Wildlife Management course with ADL, or after completing it. We are very happy to be associated with GVE, which offers an unforgettable volunteer experience in South Africa with their Game Capture and Vet Experience programs.

The program fee charged for the experience also acts as the main support for GVE's non-profit clinic.

Interested in reading more information about both the Game Capture and Vet Experience programs? Then just click on the GVE logo below

Who Employs Wildlife Managers?
There are many opportunities for Wildlife Managers in the public or the private sector industries. Governments usually provide the largest employment opportunities in this field of work.  In recent years however, there has been an increase in private agencies. Employers may include the following but not necessary limited to this list:

 • Sanctuaries or reserves where animals are of prime concern
• Organisations whose specialise in Conservation 
• Companies who undertake land reclamation 
• Government agencies such as municipals, local councils and national governments
• Consulting firms either private or government

Be Taught by Experts
The courses at ADL are very distinctive with an emphasis on acquiring practical skills and knowledge and are written by industry experts. The course content is industry relevant globally and locally and, up-to-date. You receive unlimited tutor support.  tutors are only a phone call or email away.

Career and Job Opportunites May Include:

Wildlife Management Jobs encompass: organising surveys either for wildlife or ecological purposes, as a ranger located in the countryside, keeping track of the movements of wildlife habitats and their populations, seeing that animals are protected from man-made distasters, such as the cutting down of forests, land reclamation for housing developments etc., treatment of sick or injured animals, ornithologist, game keeping,  zookeeper, and zoologist. These are but a few examples of the job opportunities that exist in this fast and expanding industry. 

Karin Saks – primate naturalist:

Since 1997, Karin Saks has been involved in the fostering and rehabilitation of orphan baboons, the caring of injured monkeys who have been returned to the wild and has worked towards a harmonious co-existence between these primates and humans. She has monitored wild baboon troops who raid human homes to research ways of baboon management and has observed wild troops in her area with a view to finding out damage done to troop structures and numbers because of human intervention. Due to legislation that allows for the persecution of vervet monkeys and baboons in South Africa, hundreds of orphaned primates currently reside in rehabilitation centres without much chance of being released back into the wild. The primate pet trade is also on the increase due to the amount of infants orphaned when mothers are killed.  Educating the public on how to live harmoniously with these primates and appealing for new protective legislation - that is actively enforced - are crucial aspects to finding solutions.

The Darwin Primate Group – registered NPO 059-587: Like many who take on the task of rescuing these persecuted animals, Karin self funded her work until 2008 when she founded the Darwin Primate Group and registered it as a non-profit organization.

Research into endangered samango monkey (Cercopithecus mitis labiatus) populations: In 2014, Karin moved to Kwazulu Natal where she is researching the endangered samango monkey (Cercopithecus mitis labiatus) populations in the Midlands. (She is no longer working directly with rescued baboons or vervet monkeys.) As the samango monkey is restricted to forest habitat and is a seed dispersing species, it is listed as Vulnerable in the Red Data Book of the Mammals of South Africa (2004) with samango subspecies - C. m. labiatus - occurring on the IUCN (2007) Endangered list making research into populations necessary to identify if management and further protection is needed.

You are welcome to watch her online video: Co-existing Peacefully With Baboons/Monkeys and read her Blogspot on the Samango Monkey Project. If you want to support Karin in her work financially or practically, please contact us and we will happily pass your details on.

Wildlife Art

 Purchase astonishing wildlife prints by one of the worlds most accomplished
wildlife artist,  Chris McClelland.
His works are internationally recognised for their fine graphite and coloured pencil drawings. 
Chris has a strong passion for the wildlife of Africa and Australia.
His artwork captures the movement of wildlife that is so captivating with a skill and precision
that make his animals come alive.  Chris and his wife Maggie (a respected and  accomplished photographer in her own right), held an exhibition recently of their work in  Canterbury, England. Please read the article on our Blog titled Wildlife Art to find out more about this outstanding artist and his love for all things wildlife.  To see this unique art please visit his website at: www.wildprints.com.au

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Due to our years of experience and wide range of online courses, here are a list of our FAQs and Answers asked by Students.

General

Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, you are not required to purchase expensive text books for any of our courses, since each module has been written by highly qualified tutors and writers, and our courses are updated on a regular basis, adding new information, methods and knowledge. You are supplied with all “essential” references. Extra books are always useful though, especially for special projects. Tutors will advise you what to buy if you decide you would like to have extra reading material, but it is not essential. Check out our eBookstore if you’re looking for a starting point.

Q. What sets the Academy apart from other institutions?
A.  A unique feature of our courses is that we combine knowledge of the subject matter with practical tasks (set tasks, found at the end of each lesson).  So you get to do practical components in each lesson. The benefits of this approach are immense: – your skills and knowledge are developed to a much higher level not normally found at other distance learning institutions.

Q. How do the practical exercises (set tasks) work?
A. The practical component of each lesson can be in the form of : Field Research, Networking and Analysis, Conducting Surveys, Growing, Collecting, Photographing and Processes.

Q. If I do a shorter course first, can I get credits towards a certificate or diploma later?
A. Yes. We will assess previous studies to give you appropriate credits.

Q. Can I pay by instalments?
A. Yes, you can view all available payment options here.

Q. Do I get a discount if two of us enrol together?
A. Yes. You may claim a 5% discount on fees if you both enrol in courses at the same time.

Q. Do I get a discount if I enrol in a second course?
A. Yes. You will be offered a 10% discount on subsequent courses you enrol for.

Q. Can I use more than one discount code when enrolling for my course?
A. No. You can only use one discount code chosen by yourself per course, when more than one is available.

Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.

Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however; have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.

Q. Are there any hidden costs?
A. There are no hidden extras – the tuition fee covers all course material, unlimited tutor support, assignment marking/feedback and any text books where specified and exams. The only extras are for the public examinations fees for the ICB Bookkeeping course and the RHS (Royal Horticulture Society) exams.

Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are continually updated. The course content is rapidly updated and improved without the red tape and bureaucracy experienced at other educational institutions.

Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.

Q. What Recognition do you have?
A. The Academy for Distance Learning has various forms of recognition:
These include TQUK (Training Qualifications UK) – an Ofqual Awarding Organisation – ADL is an approved TQUK Centre.
IARC – International Approval Registration Centre, approved member.  Accredited Training Provider for ICB (Institute of Certified Bookkeepers) and Approved Distance Learning Provider for the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) and many more. Our graduates come from many parts of the world and have used our qualifications for successful employment and progression onto higher education. To view our full list  of recognition and memberships please click here,

Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.

Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at the Academy our students are our priority – we treat every student as a unique individual. This philosophy allows us to nurture those who are “slow and steady” learners rather than letting them fall through the cracks, while catering for those who are in a hurry to complete.

Enrolment

Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.

Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.

Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you. You’re under no pressure to finish by a certain deadline.

Q. Completing the course- how long will it take?
A. Completion of  modules varies from student to student.  Many factors come into play  such as work commitments and family life- there are always distractions.  Some students work quicker than others.  For a 100 hour module many students will take up to 3- 6 months,  others take less time and some are even longer. It’s all up to you.  There is no pressure to complete or deadline to finish. Naturally, longer courses will take more time.

Q. What learning formats are there?
A.  Your enrollment comes with the Online Classroom study option by default. For a small additional cost you also have the options of USB or Correspondence.
USB: Your course is sent to you on a USB stick, so that you can carry it in your pocket. Ideal for those with unreliable internet connections. This option is an additional £5/module

Correspondence:  You download the course content and then print your own copy to your requirements. You can then bind the lessons to suit your needs.

Assessments

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a project instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location, or you can visit us in Canterbury, England to sit the exam if want to.  Exam fees are included in the tuition fee you paid. You can read more about the examination process here. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment. You submit it to the academy who then submits it to the tutor for marking, comments and feedback. Our policy is to have a grade for you within 5 to 7 days.

Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes – If you’re not happy with your work submitted you may re-submit the assignment again.

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons there would be 10 assignments. The number of lessons per module varies from module to module. See the course content from our website for further details.

Q. When do I have to hand in my first assignment?
A. There is no deadline for handing in the first assignment. Submit when you are ready. There are some students who hand in assignments within the first couple of weeks of enrolment – while there are others who submit their work 6 months later. It’s all at your own convenience to suit you. Everyone has different work and home commitments and we cater to these needs.

Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country; however, there may be an additional expense. We can appoint an appropriately qualified person anywhere to work through curriculum documentation supplied by us, to satisfy the requirements set down in a course.

Qualifications

Q. What qualification will I receive?
A. For individual modules, you would receive a Certificate (providing you complete all assignments and the exam). If you just want to complete the assignments only, then a Letter of Achievement would be awarded. For more details on qualifications awarded please click here.

Q. Is there a next level to progress to?
A. Yes – you can progress from one module to a combination of many modules and to higher qualifications i.e. Advanced Certificates, Diplomas and Higher Advanced Diplomas. Read more about course levels here.

Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?
A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to design your own diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. It’s a very popular option and widely used by many students. You quite simply choose the appropriate number of related modules needed to complete the qualification and submit them to us for approval as a custom diploma.

Q.  What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of a 100-hour Certificate course and providing all assignments and exam have been completed, you will receive a Certificate and Transcript.  The Transcript will list your GPA.  Each 100-hour module is worth 3 credit hours.

Exams

Q. Do I have to sit for an exam?
A. Exams are optional but need to be undertaken in order to receive the Certificate or higher qualification.  Exams are one and a half hours long. You appoint an adjudicator (subject to our approval) to supervise the exam. You sit for the exam in your own location. Its that simple.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. If you feel you don’t cope well with exams you may elect to undertake a Project (set by the tutor) instead of sitting the exam.  Many students prefer this option as they find researching the material for the project sharpens their research skills.

Q. If I don’t sit for the Exam do I still get a qualification?
A. If you don’t sit for the exam but complete the project alternative, you will still receive your endorsed qualification. If you don’t sit for an exam or complete a final project, providing you have completed all the assignments you will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement.

Q. Do I have to sit for the exam at the Academy? 
A. No – whilst you are more than welcome to come to our location in Canterbury, U.K. and sit the exam in our classroom; the more popular option is to sit for the exam in your own location. You appoint an adjudicator to supervise the exam. Click here for more information on that process.

Q. Are there any exam fees?
A. There are no exam fees.  However, for some public examinations such as the ICB (Bookkeeping) and RHS courses exam fees do apply.  See course content for details.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A.  We only employ tutors who have are currently active in their industry with at least 5 years of real-world experience.  Not only are they highly qualified but also experienced, knowledgeable, and professional- experts in their chosen fields from all parts of the world.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes- you have unlimited access to tutors. We strongly encourage students to develop a dialogue with their Tutor. This is why we encourage students to submit their first assignment fairly quickly at the beginning of the course.
Every Academy student is assigned a tutor who supports you throughout your course and beyond. Your tutor is there to guide and facilitate your learning and provides as much or as little individual contact as you would like. When you submit your coursework the tutor will give you feedback that helps you develop your ideas and provides motivation. For those who do like to have interaction with other students, the ADL discussion forum connects you to students from all over the world.

Q. How do I contact my tutor?
A. You have direct contact with your tutor by email through the Online Classroom. Alternatively, you can write, fax, email, or phone the academy. Leave a message if your tutor isn’t available and they will phone, write or fax back; whatever suits you.

Q. If I don’t agree with / like my tutor can I request a change?
A. Yes – we try to accommodate and meet student’s needs and a change of tutor may be arranged.

Q. If I don’t understand a question or a lesson may I contact the tutor?
A. You may contact a tutor as often as you like. There is no additional charge or restriction on this service.  Contact can be made via the Student Zone, email, or by phone.

Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.