Dartmoor Zoo slaughter man teaches equine dissection

Photo by: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sallylondon/699024120/

A Devon zoo's meat processing facility is being used to teach veterinary nursing students about equine anatomy.

Dartmoor Zoological Park at Sparkwell, near Plymouth, is one of the first in the UK with an in-house butchering facility.

Teaching and practical dissection demonstrations are carried out by the zoo's slaughter man and a vet.

The zoo's meat processing and student lecture areas have been separated by a glass wall.

Dartmoor's three tigers eat up to 15kg of meat a day - equivalent to a large adult pony per tiger per week - and fresh meat is also given to the lions, bears, jaguars, lynx, cheetahs and wolves.

The butchering is carried out by slaughter man Andy Goatman who puts the animals down humanely off-site.

It was his idea to provide the lecture facility.

"Everyone has to learn, and normally these students only get to see small parts of the animal they are studying - here they get the chance to see everything in context," he said.

Mr Goatman said with health and safety regulations restricting practical work for biology lessons, the zoo had also been contacted by some secondary schools.

The teaching demonstrations have attracted students from Duchy College and Bicton College.

With the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) including equine anatomy as part of its diploma in veterinary nursing, Carol Knight, curriculum manager at Duchy College, said the zoo's practical demonstration had been particularly useful for students.

"Attending the dissection session was a brilliant and fascinating opportunity for these students to see the actual workings of a horse 'in the flesh', and of course our normal laboratories at the college are unable to provide the students with the space for such large practical demonstrations," Ms Knight said.

The glass screen separating the meat processing facility from the lecture space provides the students with an unrestricted view and protects them for health and safety reasons.

Enthusiasm 'encouraging'

Duchy College student nurse Emma Field said: "I found being able to look at the brain and organs particularly useful, as well as being able to study the hind limb in such detail."

"I really enjoyed watching the inflation



Read Full Story Here: BBC News - Dartmoor Zoo slaughter man teaches equine dissection

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Aquarist - California Science Center Foundation

Aquarist - California Science Center Foundation

The Aquarist is responsible for the care of all living species in the Living Species areas, including marine and freshwater fish and invertebrates, as well as reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and invertebrates.

Daily responsibilities may include prepping food; diving in the 188,000 gallon open air Kelp Forest tank to clean, feed, and observe animals, as well as to educate the public while diving; participating in collecting trips for new specimens of marine fish and invertebrates; and completing all necessary paperwork

Major Job Responsibilities:

Responsible for care and husbandry of aquatic and other living collections which may include marine fish and invertebrates, desert animals, and quarantined individuals.

Maintains exhibit tanks, diving tanks, cleans animal areas, prepares and feeds food, treats any diseased individuals as necessary and working on the collecting vessel.

Maintains the animal database record-keeping system and completes all related paperwork.

Assists identifying and collecting species and safely transport specimens to facility.

Responsible for all animal acquisitions, exchanges and transfers.

Responsible for caring for living collections in any and all emergency conditions.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Marine Science or a related biological field of study required.

Minimum of 2 years of aquatic animal experience working in a public aquarium or related facility environment.

Demonstrated knowledge of safe animal handling practices and maintaining a safe working environment.

Must posses an open water SCUBA certification and have a history of diving in tanks and open oceans with experience in aquatic animal care.

Experience working with a variety of marine and freshwater species of fish and invertebrates preferred.

Previous experience with the maintenance and operation of large life support systems including sand filters, canister filters, UV sterilizers, protein skimmers, and ozone generators is desirable.

Ability to walk ½ mile in full dive gear (on level ground) as well as to lift 80 pounds. Must have the ability to walk beach rocks and tank platforms as well as having good physical skills to escape injury from wild or captive animals.

Experience collecting marine organisms and knowledge of varying collecting methods is a plus.

Knowledge of boat safety is a plus.

Must pass annual dive physical examination.

Intermediate computer skills.

Strong communication and organizational skills.

Ability to work well independently and in a team environment.

Ability to work a flexible schedule that includes weekends, holidays and some evenings..

Salary: $16.83 - $19.71 per hour plus excellent benefits and 14 holidays per year

Send Cover Letter, Resume and Salary History (A Must) to the HR Dept. via fax at 213-744-2673, email to HR@cscmail.org or mail to the California Science Center Foundation, H. R. Dept, 700 State Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90037.

No phone calls please. EOE.

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Nutritionist for the California Science Center Foundation

Rec* Nutritionist *

The Nutritionist is responsible for ensuring the dietary health of all
Living Collections animals as well as maintaining cleanliness and stock of
the various components, including food, in the food preparation kitchen. The
Nutritionist creates and implements food preparation guidelines and
procedures, provides necessary supplements, and designs nutritional
parameters to ensure proper dietary regimes for the Living Collections
organisms.

*Major Job Responsibilities: *

- Prepares all diets for Living Collections aquatic and terrestrial
animals ensuring high quality food with proper nutritional content.
- Assists the Veterinarian and other Living Collections staff with animal
care
- Maintains inventory and develops purchasing lists of kitchen items and
additional food as needed.
- Maintains cleanliness and sanitation of all food preparation surfaces
and equipment.
- Ensures high quality control on food stock, including maintaining
complete and accurate food storage temperature logs.
- Records/compiles all necessary health information and communicates to
Veterinary in a timely fashion.
- Participates in the daily feeding routines of the Living Collections
animals.
- Assists Living Collections staff in the daily care of the animals.
- Ensures compliance with all regulatory agencies including USDA, FDA,
and AZA with regard to food preparation.
- Trains and supervises Living Collections volunteers assigned to the
food preparation kitchen on proper food preparation and feeding methods.
- Perform other duties as needed.

*Qualifications: *

- BA/BS in Biological Science preferred. Study of animal nutrition a
plus.
- 4+ years experience working in animal care, preferably at an
AZA-accredited facility.
- Veterinary techinician certificate or experience working as a
veterinary technician strongly preferred.
- Knowledge of methods of analysis of nutritional content of various food
items.
- Demonstrated knowledge of USDA, FDA, and AZA standards and policies
with regard to food preparation for captive collections.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs. Zootrition® program
experience a plus.
- Trained in basic first aid as well as food handling.
- Ability to lift 50 pounds and to operate lift/pallet equipment.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule that includes weekends, holidays,
and some evenings.

*Salary:* $16.50-19.50 per hour plus excellent benefits and 14 holidays per
year

Send Cover Letter, Resume and Salary History (A Must) to the HR Dept. via
fax at 213-744-2673, email to HR@cscmail.org or mail to the California
Science Center Foundation, H. R. Dept, 700 State Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90037.
No phone calls please. EOE.