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Unit of study_

WILD4001: Wildlife Management

2025 unit information

In-situ and ex-situ conservation play vital roles in the conservation efforts of endangered species. But are they two distinct strategies or should the two be considered and managed as a meta-population? Using evidence-based decision making, this unit will investigate both species and populations and evaluate wildlife management from both in- and ex-situ perspectives, assessing intensive (highly managed) and extensive (near natural) management through strategic components such as reproduction, nutritional ecology and physiology, behaviour, population establishment, genetics and genomics, preventative medicine, stakeholder engagement and management, captive health, welfare, legislation and ethics. This unit will run as an intensive over a two-week period in February. One of these weeks will be held at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo. You will be given a unique opportunity to learn directly from academics, scientists, keepers and vets from both the University and Taronga whilst gaining and applying practical skills in wildlife conservation in the field.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Science

Study level Undergraduate
Academic unit Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
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132 credit points of units including WILD3001
Corequisites:
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None
Prohibitions:
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None
Assumed knowledge:
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None

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Understand the complexities of defining in-situ and ex-situ approaches to conserving threatened individuals, populations and species, and their extension to ecological communities
  • LO2. Understand the problems caused by overabundant species and solutions to mitigate them
  • LO3. Describe the spectrum of in-situ to ex-situ conservation approaches, the situations in which each is most appropriate, and the necessary linkages between them
  • LO4. Understand the relevance of key wildlife in-situ and ex-situ management principles at both species and population levels
  • LO5. Be able to evaluate in-situ and ex-situ conservation programs from a scientific perspective, including: a. Management approach b. Relevant technological approaches c. Efficacy and application d. Demographic, reproductive, nutritional ecological, genetic and behavioural considerations and how each of these may vary with different contexts
  • LO6. Understand, evaluate and apply learning to ethical issues and ethics legislation relevant to wildlife management
  • LO7. Evaluate stakeholder consultation and engagement and its importance in wildlife management

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.

Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Intensive February 2024
Block mode Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Intensive February 2025
Block mode Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Intensive February 2021
Block mode Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Intensive February 2022
Block mode Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Intensive February 2023
Block mode Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Find your current year census dates

Modes of attendance (MoA)

This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.

Important enrolment information

Departmental permission requirements

If you see the ‘Departmental Permission’ tag below a session, it means you need faculty or school approval to enrol. This may be because it’s an advanced unit, clinical placement, offshore unit, internship or there are limited places available.

You will be prompted to apply for departmental permission when you select this unit in Sydney Student.

Read our information on departmental permission.

Additional advice

This unit of study is taught 50:50 by USYD and Taronga. Approx 1 week's worth of content will be held at Camperdown Campus (over a two week period), and one week's intensive at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo. Students will also be required to participate in a 1 day Animal Ethics course.