Online Zoo Nutrition
Course
Colorado State University offers Online Zoo
Nutrition Course
Registration open until Friday, January 17, 2014
Course date Jan 21- May 9, 2014
Instructors
Nancy Irlbeck
Nancy Irlbeck, Ph.D., is the Associate Dean of
Academic Programs in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Colorado State
University and serves as a nutrition consultant to the Denver Zoo.
Brett Kirch
Dr. Brett Kirch grew up on a small farm in the
Nebraska Panhandle close to Lewellen, Nebraska. Brett received his B.S. in
animal science from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and worked as an
Extension aide in Garden County, Nebraska, during those years. He attended
Kansas State University for an M.S. in ruminant nutrition where he was
introduced to the forage-animal interface through his research project. Brett
completed a Ph.D. at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in range and forage
sciences working jointly between the agronomy and animal science departments in
evaluating escape protein in grazed warm-season grasses. Following graduation,
Brett took a position with Iowa State University as a regional extension beef
specialist in west-central Iowa working in beef, sheep, and horse programming.
Brett’s career took a slight change in
direction when he was accepted and graduated from the College of Veterinary
Medicine at Iowa State University, with clinical equine rotations at the
University of California-Davis.
Brett’s return to research was as a result of a
unique post-doctoral position with USDA-ARS Forage-Animal Production Research
Unit on the campus of the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky. His
work in Kentucky allowed the unique opportunity to marry his interests in
veterinary medicine, forages, and nutrition.
In 2008, Brett became the head of the Youth
Livestock Extension program and research at Colorado State University. His
research programs continue to look at the health, production, and nutritional
aspects of the forage-animal interface.
Course Description
Monkey biscuits, bones, crickets, reptile
salad–these are just a few culinary examples of dietary components enjoyed by
captive wild animals in our zoos. Proper nutrition for these animals is vital
for their physical health and general well-being. This course provides students
with an introduction to the amazing animal kingdom, and imparts an awareness of
our world’s unique animal species and their nutritional needs.
Zoological institutions–zoos–provide the
general public with glimpses of exotic animal species known only from books,
stories and the Internet. The animal residents of zoos are in a sense a living
museum, and it is our responsibility to provide for their basic needs to the
best of our ability.
Students taking Zoo Nutrition learn to
strategize on how to feed animals by learning animal dietary classifications
and gastrointestinal morphology. Based on a few fundamental principles,
students develop an awareness of HOW and HOW NOT to feed many new animal
species seen in the companion animal trade. Application of these fundamentals
saves animal lives and creates a better living environment.
The course is geared toward zoo professionals;
employees of rescue, rehabilitation and animal shelter organizations; and
undergraduate students majoring in animal sciences, natural resources, biology,
zoology and similar fields. Or if you are someone who is just interested in the
course topic (and who has met the necessary prerequisite), you are invited to
enroll and enjoy the course.
This course has print-based exams that require
a proctor. A Proctor Identification Form will be required. ProctorU is not
available for this course.
Prerequisites:
There are courses listed as prerequisites, but the course is open for
enrollment for anyone (including those who have NOT completed prerequisites)
interested in the topic.
