Pedagogical objective

Ethology, the science of studying behaviour, is a non-verbal approach to understanding and interpreting behaviours. Ethology is therefore an essential approach, both for the daily activities of teams and for assessing animal welfare. However, to ensure that interpreted data is valid, a rigorous and scientific approach is necessary. Participants will learn various observation methods and their applications.

Skills acquired at the end of the course

• Understanding the various fields of application of ethology
• Explain the role and importance of ethology in conservation programmes
• Know and comprehend the different methodologies used in ethology
• Construct an ethogram
• Have a basic understanding of how to design an observation protocol

Course content

Module 1: History and objectives of ethology

• Definition and scope of ethology
• Ethology, a science and a tool for daily animal management

Module 2: Biology, physiology and ethology

• Living environment and behavioural repertoire
• Environmental and behavioural characteristics, social organisation

Module 3: Methodology in ethology

• Observation methods
• Setting up a protocol
• Constructing an ethogram

Workshops and practical exercises:

• Constructing an ethogram
• Observations (video materials) and data collection using the scan-sampling and focal-sampling methods

Pedagogical, technical and supervisory resources

The course includes theoretical contributions, workshops and practical exercises, discussions and feedback. In the training room, the course is led using visual aid (PowerPoint and audiovisual material), while the workshops and practical exercises are carried out within the zoo.

Prior to the training, a preparatory meeting (either via phone or face-to-face) will be held with the supervisors.

Monitoring and assessment

An attendance sheet is signed by each participant and the instructors for each half-day of course. The acquisition of skills is assessed during the course (training games, role-playing, etc.).

The course is assessed based on its quality and the effectiveness of the instructors, using a questionnaire that each participant fills anonymously. A certificate of completion is issued to each participant at the end of the course.