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

Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.

General

Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.

Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.

Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
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 your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.

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

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.

Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.

Assessment

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.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.

Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –

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.

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.

Qualifications

Q. What qualification will I receive?
A. For individual modules, you would be awarded a Certificate endorsed by TQUK (Training Qualifications, UK), providing you complete all assignments and the exam. If you just want to complete only the assignments and not sit for the exam or finish a Project, then a Letter of Achievement would be awarded. For more details on qualifications available please click 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. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.

Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.

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.