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    Overview

    A skills-based course on marking, counting and studying animals and on experimental design, analysis, interpretation and communication.

    Wildlife management in its broadest sense is the science and practice of species conservation and restoration, as well as active management for the wise use of renewable natural resources.

    The University of Otago provides an excellent base for wildlife studies, being within easy reach of largely untouched mountains, fiords, rainforests and wetlands, and there are a number of rare or threatened species within a few kilometres of the campus. The University has a concentration of ecologists active in research on wildlife species, and staff maintain strong links with conservation and research agencies, both within New Zealand and internationally.

    A University of Otago qualification in Wildlife Management is an ideal qualification for those seeking employment as: conservation officers, pest control and resource managers, scientific research technicians, scientific advisers for government and non-government research and conservation organisations.

    About this paper

    Paper title Techniques of Wildlife Management
    Subject Wildlife Management
    EFTS 0.1667
    Points 20 points
    Teaching period Semester 1 (On campus)
    Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,701.51
    International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
    Limited to
    PGDipWLM, MWLM
    Contact

    jo.monks@otago.ac.nz

    Teaching staff

    Co-ordinator: Dr Jo Monks

    Paper Structure
    This paper teaches practical skills of wildlife management and research, such as:
    • Identifying and counting animals
    • Designing survey and monitoring schemes
    • Catching and marking animals
    • Predator control
    • Data analysis and interpretation
    • Report writing and communication skills
    During the paper you will apply biodiversity indices, will learn density estimation methods using line transects and mark-recapture and will undertake analysis of radio-telemetry data.

    This paper is particularly valuable for those who eventually want jobs in ecological research teams or as field officers, conservation officers or pest controllers. It will also be useful for those of you aiming at research scientist careers or postgraduate (MSc or PhD) study.
    Teaching Arrangements
    The paper gives hands-on experience wherever practicable of real-life management issues involving NZ animals. It includes seminars, group projects and several field excursions.
    Textbooks

    Textbooks are not required for this paper.

    Graduate Attributes Emphasised
    Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Ethics, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
    View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
    Learning Outcomes

    Otago Wildlife Management graduates will have an understanding of the processes and interactions at work in ecological communities and will recognise the principles of wildlife population persistence, change or decline. Students will graduate with a toolkit of techniques with which to gather and analyse information and answer questions about wildlife populations and will be able to apply their skills to address real-life problems. Above all WLM graduates will have appreciation of the need for and an ability to apply critical thinking, scientific rigour and a systematic approach to the management of wildlife.

    Timetable

    Semester 1

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught On Campus
    Learning management system
    Blackboard

    Lecture

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Tuesday 12:00-12:50 9-13, 15-22
    Friday 09:00-12:50 9-12, 15-22
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