751-6124-00L Wildlife Ecophysiology and Epidemiology
| Semester | Spring Semester 2021 |
| Lecturers | S. E. Ulbrich |
| Periodicity | yearly recurring course |
| Course | Does not take place this semester. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Abstract | The course will convey basic principles of the physiology and epidemiology of wildlife in the context of disease transmission via animal migration, transport, agricultural practice and food items.Adaptions of native wildlife to the urban and agricultural environment and wildlife management will be illustrated. The course includes excursions and practical demonstrations. |
| Learning objective | The aim of the course is to raise the awareness for the transmission of zoonotic diseases between agricultural animals, pets and humans. Furthermore, the pros and cons of different wildlife management strategies should enable the understanding of physiological adaptations of wildlife to human shaped environments. The ability to phrase own questions and to contribute to scientific discussions will be strengthened. |
| Content | After a general introduction the following lectures will deal with specific topics such as animal migration, agricultural damage and population control, emergence of new diseases, wildlife monitoring and management and physiology of native species. The course includes excursions to a wildlife rehabilitation center and a walk through the woods of Zurich with a wildlife warden. Practical experience will be gained in the autopsy of wild and domestic birds. The dates and locations for the practical session and the excursions are the following: 29.04.2019: Practical course bird autopsy Meeting point at 1:00 pm; Institute for Veterinary Pathology Winterthurerstrasse 270, 8057 Zürich 13.05.19: Excursion to the "Wild animal rehabilitation center Landshut". Meeting point at the rehabilitation center at 1:15 pm (http://www.wildstation.ch/kontakt.html) 20.05.2019 Excursion with wildlife warden of the city of Zurich Meeting point SBB station Grünwald at 1 pm |
| Lecture notes | It is expected that students take their own notes during the lectures. If possible, the lecture material and additional information will be available online. |
| Literature | Scientific literature will be referenced in the lectures. |
| Prerequisites / Notice | A general interest in wildlife is prerequisite. The students should have an understanding of basic principles of disease transmission. |