Level 3 Award in Carnivore Studies: Big Cats

Course Description

In this Level 3 Award in Carnivore Studies: Big Cats, learners will have the opportunity to explore the diversity of carnivorous big cats found in the animal kingdom along with learning about their evolution, biology and behaviour.

The qualification also explores the principles of big cat conservation and how to ensure the welfare and appropriate care of carnivore big cats that are kept in captivity.

This Award qualification will be of use to those with an interest in carnivore species care and/or conservation and those working with wildlife either in a zoological setting (such as zookeepers, zoologists and animal keepers) or the conservation environment.

Following completion of the qualification, learner might progress onto higher level study, practical occupational training, a volunteering position or a career in the care and welfare or conservation of big cats.

Big Cat Conservation and the IUCN Red List

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) was established in 1948. It is the first international organisation dedicated to the conservation of our natural world.

The IUCN’s primary goal is the conservation and protection of biodiversity. To help with this, a global database called the IUCN Red List has been established. This is a comprehensive database detailing the varied species that inhabit our planet. The Red List provides an assessment of the extinction risk for each species (how likely that species is to die out and cease to exist).

The Red List is used by conservationists in decision-making, action planning and monitoring programmes. Lions, cheetahs and leopards are currently assessed as ‘vulnerable’, while tigers are classed as ‘endangered’ meaning that conservation work with these species is crucial.