Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 25th January 2021
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Wild Welfare launches free digital education programme
"We can empower animal care staff to understand what good animal welfare looks like and what the animals in their care need." Simon Marsh, Wild Welfare.

Online resource aims to tackle global animal welfare issues

A new, free online animal husbandry programme has been created by charity Wild Welfare, as part of its global work to improve the welfare of captive animals across the world.

The open-access online programme – called Wild About Welfare – provides a comprehensive introduction to animal husbandry for animal care staff in zoos, aquariums and sanctuaries.

It was produced in collaboration with The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education (JMICAWE) at the University of Edinburgh.

The programme is split into separate modules on subjects such as animal behaviour, animal welfare needs and animal enrichment. It can be taken one module at a time or as a complete course.

The resource can be accessed on smartphones, tablets and computers and includes videos, pictures and interactive quizzes.

Dr Heather Bacon, OBE of JMICAWE, who worked on developing the content with the Wild Welfare team said: “We are delighted to partner with Wild Welfare on producing this important educational resource.

“Our team has established expertise in animal behaviour and welfare science, and digital education.

“Combining this with the practical experience and expertise of the Wild Welfare team, has resulted in an accessible, interactive resource that aims to improve captive animal welfare globally, by inspiring caregivers to optimise animal husbandry in wildlife facilities.”

Wild Welfare aims to address knowledge gaps that may result in captive animal suffering, drawing on its research into the most common captive animal welfare issues.

Simon Marsh, Wild Welfare's acting UK director, added: “This programme will enable animal care staff the opportunity to address these issues and improve animal welfare.

“Education is key, and by offering people a way to access good quality information, we can help ensure they are better able to play their part in providing good welfare for the animals in their care.”

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise 100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.