There is widespread depletion of biodiversity to most ecosystems on earth, with significant loss of wildlife populations and increasing species extinctions. In response to this crisis, skills in managing wildlife species both in the wild and in captivity are increasingly needed, to step up to the challenges of this anthropogenic disaster. To develop such skills, this module provides an integrative understanding of key concepts in wildlife health and conservation, and the ability to evaluate their application to challenging wildlife management contexts. Students will engage with complex, real-world issues such as biodiversity loss, emerging infectious diseases, the management of threatened populations, and the application of a One Health perspective.
The module covers key concepts in wildlife health and conservation through a series of problem-based learning (PBL) scenarios, tutorials, seminars, field visits and practicals. We will consider topics relating to the key threats facing wildlife in a world which is rapidly changing due to human activities and discuss the effectiveness of various solutions to the present conservation crisis. On completion of the module, students will have the ability to advise on issues of wildlife management and diseases. Students will develop skills to concisely interpret the scientific and other literature relevant to conservation science and apply this comprehension to current problems in wildlife conservation. This requires a systematic knowledge and critical awareness of current issues and problems at, or informed by, the forefront of conservation biology and veterinary science. Students will develop the ability to plan how to deal with complex conservation problems, systematically and creatively, make judgements and understand the consequences of doing so, often based on incomplete data, and communicate clearly with both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
The module will suit students who have a passion for applied conservation research and wish to develop their skills in applying this to practical outcomes in the field. It is assessed using two assignments that are designed to demonstrate depth of understanding and the ability to apply knowledge to real-world conservation scenarios. For the first assignment (40%), students will produce a poster with a 5-minute commentary designed for a Non-Governmental Organisation, to secure funding for an ongoing wildlife health issue. For the second assignment (60%), students will write a 1500-word report reviewing a topical problem of disease-induced population declines in a keystone species (or group of species) and discuss potentially effective mitigation strategies. Students will also critically reflect on the use of AI in constructing this report and comment on its limitations.