Taronga Zoo Training Institute Vs Tafe » Taronga Zoo

Taronga Zoo Training Institute Vs Tafe
15-06-2008

Hi im currently trying to research which is the best way to go about training. Has anyone done the captive animals cert 3 course at the zoo??

How is the zoo course better than the tafe course?

Zoo costs $5300 and tafe is much cheaper, is there value for money in doing the zoo captive animals course rather than the tafe one?

Can anyone who has done the zoo version tell me about their experiences good or bad??

Same with tafe... good or bad??

Thanx guys, any info would be great.

15-06-2008

It all depends on if you have access to a zoo. Doing the course through Taronga will give you that access. If you go through tafe you will have to find another zoo or wildlife park to do the practical at.

15-06-2008

Hi thanks for your reply. I do have access to volunteer work at a park in my area so i will be able to do the tafe course, but just wondering is there anyone out there whose done the zoo one and can tell me if its worth spending the extra money or any other info that might be of help.

02-07-2008

The fellow who teaches the TAFE course is extremely experienced.

Recently I discovered that the two most senior reptile keepers don't even know who teaches the Taronga course which seems pretty strange.

02-07-2008

So you expect every staff member at a zoo to know everything the zoo is involved in, both inside the zoo and externally? I think you have big expectations mate.

02-07-2008

ZooPro
Member:
So you expect every staff member at a zoo to know everything the zoo is involved in, both inside the zoo and externally? I think you have big expectations mate.

Please understand this was certainly NOT a criticism of the reptile staff... these two men are brilliant - I simply note it is interesting that they weren't asked about who should lecture herpetology at the course.

Interesting you jumped mistakenly to the defensive "mate".

I wonder who decides who does the lectures. In the old days the lecturers in each subject were senior keepers at TZ.

03-07-2008

Zooey- zoopro knows everything. Don't Muk with it.

and remeber it is a zoo, and it's not possible to talk to everybody about everything. With more than 150 animal care staff, it would be hard to get all opinions, even just curators and head of divisions. Plus this is the first year teh course is running. It will improve over time.

03-07-2008

I sincerely hope you are being ironic Zoo Boy! I know people with over forty years animal keeping experience and THEY don't think they know everything. Thanks for reminding me it is a zoo... so easy to forget on "Zoobeat Forum" !! Actually there are so few divisional managers now that it would hardly take any time to ask them. You are wrong to assume I am just another zoo groupie. I know how the system works from the inside (yes as a keeper).

It is quite possible they have a brilliant herp lecturer - I merely noted the lack of consultation with the relevant staff. You certainly wouldn't want to ask all 150 keepers their view as the majority of them are nubes like you guys.

Amazing levels of defensiveness on this site considering how many incorrect statements I have read posted here as "facts".

Considering the comparative costs of the zoo course I would think it not unreasonable for them to ask two guys a two minute question regarding their advice. Especially when these two fellas have a combined reptile experience of over seventy years. Also considering they may have to open their facility to the lecturers - there is a large degree of trust involved or otherwise they need to be supervised.

To anyone other than zoo"pro" and zooboy - Is this a forum or a clique?