At Woburn Safari Park, we aim to encourage, support and conduct research to develop our husbandry practices, improve health care and maximise breeding success, whilst contributing to the wider zoo community. This knowledge can also be applied to aid research and conservation of species in the wild. With over 1,000 animals at the park, many of which are endangered, Woburn provides the perfect setting for academic research across all levels.
Zoological institutions have a responsibility to engage in research that will benefit our understanding of captive animal management and promote conservation.
To help our animals get the most out their captive environments, we conduct a number of animal-based studies at the park. These studies commonly have a focus on animal behaviour, welfare, nutrition, husbandry, environmental enrichment, ecology, reproduction, and conservation. All of which are non-invasive and can be conducted through observation of the animals in the captive environment. We also support social based studies which focus on visitor perception and attitudes, thus aiding conservation through improved education.
As a British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquaria (BIAZA) member, we strongly recommend that you read the zoo based research guidelines (www.biaza.co.uk/research) prior to applying. There, you can learn about project planning, sampling techniques, ethics and statistics that will help you conduct high quality research.
If you currently have a project in mind, please carefully read the details below. Please understand that we regularly receive applications for research, so it is important that applications are completed and returned well in advance of research commencing.
We regularly update our list of current priority research topics at the park. Please contact our Animal Researcher: Katie.chapman@woburn.co.uk to request this list or feel free to send your own ideas for review. All applicants will need to fill in an application form and understand our research protocols prior to research approval. These will be sent out upon receipt of interest in a particular research topic.
HOW DOES THE PROCESS WORK?
Woburn ensure that animal welfare, alongside the safety of staff, researchers and visitors remain top priority. Researchers are encouraged to detail how welfare and safety are considered within their methodology. Woburn reserve the right to amend methodologies as required. The application contains further guidance on this. Head of Research can assist with these considerations also.
All research will undergo Woburn’s ethical review process prior to data collection.
Unfortunately, due to the rural location and drive through entrance of the park, the majority of research will require the researcher to be able to drive, with access to a vehicle. Woburn are unable to allow free access for additional drivers. Please contact katie.chapman@woburn.co.uk with any enquires with regards to access.
WILL WOBURN SAFARI PARK CONTRIBUTE TO FUNDING MY PROJECT?
Unfortunately we do not offer funding for any research projects, this must be sought either through your institution or through external organisations. Our team will however do their best to be of any assistance during your time at Woburn Safari Park.
DO YOU HAVE PRIORITY RESEARCH AREAS?
We do have a list of research ideas which we update periodically, which can aid students that may be interested. You can request this by emailing our researcher: katie.chapman@woburn.co.uk. Do remember that these are ideas and we are not responsible for designing the project!
On a side note regarding desired projects, enrichment projects are very popular in zoo studies. Whilst we are happy hosting projects relating to enrichment, we do ask that you ensure your study has value to us and the wider zoo community. Enrichment studies should have a clear rationale and focus on enhancing animal welfare; we do not accept studies that simply want to observe behaviour and enrichment, without clear goals of the specific enrichment being used.
CAN I CONDUCT MY RESEARCH ACROSS MULTIPLE ZOOS?
Many research projects require data collection from more than one organisation. Multi-zoo projects can be a great way to ensure a good sample size and broaden research topics. However, as they require more planning and organisation, we request that you gain support from the BIAZA research committee (www.biaza.org.uk/apply-for-research-support/) before applying.
CAN I PUBLISH MY RESEARCH?
We require time to review planned publications, therefore researchers that wish to publish any data collected at Woburn Safari Park should get in contact well in advance of any submission. In cases where the Safari Park has made significant contributions to the study, we may seek co-authorship of resulting publications.
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