Just a short and sweet blog on the workshop assignment on Interview Skills, that was on the 12th November last year, was well worth doing for some marks and to get to know the strengths and weaknesses when they are actually having an interview for a job.
The workshop contained a mock interview in a group of four and feed back from all members of the group.
I personally felt that it was well worth doing and gained a lot from the feed back which I can consider when I have my next interview.
Chester Zoo has been going for 25 years and currently has 544 species. It began in 1931, know as the “zoo without bars” and from then to now, the zoo is self funded and has 1.4 million visitor per year to become the second largest paying attraction in the UK. Chester Zoo is a part of BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums) and was awarded “Best Sustainable Zoo and Aquarium” in Nov 2012.
Chester Zoo has a mission – “To be a major force in conserving biodiversity world wide”. This is being achieved by doing conservation work in 40 different countries, including France, Spain, Ecuador and East Africa.
Palm Oil: –
In 2015, ALL Palm oil will be labelled to say if it has come from a sustainable source or not.
There is so more information:
http://www.saynotopalmoil.com/palm-oil.php
http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/footprint/agriculture/palm_oil/
http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/forests/palm-oil
I feel that Chester Zoo has and is doing it’s part in the conservation of biodiversity! So you should do yours.
My opinions have not changed about zoos. I am not a big fan but I do understand by we have them, to entertain and educate the public about the amount of work the require to conserve species.
It is strange to think that I only had a rough idea of what a Pine Marten, was before this week. I was not aware of its existence and the vulnerable population status in the U.K. However, thanks to the interesting talk by David Bavin in support of the Vincent Wildlife Trust (http://www.vwt.org.uk/species/pine-marten), I have a better understanding on the Pine Marten’s conservation status in Scotland and the efforts to reinforce this native species in Wales.
There have been 3 groups of the species that have been introduced into Scotland, England and Wales, and Ireland. Pine Martens are about the size of a domestic cat with white rings on the ears and a full coat that thickens in the winter months. The Pine Marten has a variation in diet, including berries and nuts throughout the autumn mouth, but they are mostly carnivores. There is a habitat of rich quality then males may only territorially cover a 1km2 area, however, it has been recorded that there some parts in the Scottish highlands territories can range over 32Km2
Pine Martens can live for an average of 15 years in the wild, producing 2-3 kits a year. Sadly, they have a low survival rate from predation. It only takes a small change to the environment conditions to upset this precariously increasing population or to send it into decline. The species are naturally in decline due to resource competition, low fecundity or predation should be left to extinction, if that’s what is in store for them. However, the Pine Marten is a native species and so seen as important to Wales, but if it was introduced at one point.
However, the Pine Marten has a staggering population decline. This is due to human intervention, whether it is through habitat loss for agriculture, persecution for fur, or hunting due to Pine Martens being perceived as a ‘pest’ by make dens in outbuildings due to the lack of tree cavities available to them, humans are responsible for this species being rare in the U.K.
Despite the above negatives, Pine Martens does have some benefits; by having an increase in biodiversity it offers more predation on and therefore reduction of the grey squirrel populations in Ireland.
Conservation is a difficult area, however I agree that the Pine Marten population has been decimated by human activity and it is great to hear that they are actively conserved, protected and involvement in the work done by the Vincent Wildlife Trust.
My first blog falls Phil Stephens, and his talk on looking at the change of face in scientific study with regards to mammalian biology. Phil has broad interest in ecology and evolution across in the range.
Cheetah mother with cub from National Geographic
The focus of the talk was the future of long-term studies, which seem to have a bleak future ahead with many limitations.
As a student, we learn theories that have come from long-term studies, some of wish are described as the “gold standard” by Phil himself. These help determine population dynamics, life history and natural selection.
In this talk, Phil gives 3 examples of three different species of mammal; Alpine chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), red foxes and terrestrial carnivores. All of each are in decline and require research and in the field study of numbers.
Appenine chamois from https://www.google.co.uk
However, with all sciences there are issues and limitations that need to be considered. Most of the best experiments will always be carried out in the field. But it is not that simple when often things don’t go to plan… many of you might already know. Therefore I feel that it is important that we continue to learn adapt in the field, as no experiment will ever be perfect.
Basic data on a species is required for any scientific experiment. Sadly, it appears there are no scientists willing to undertake this by getting their hands dirty. But hunting records and other sources of information, are not ideal (as you’re not in the field) but provide lots of data.
Jess Lincoln - Seminars 