Ethometry internship – Cologne

An internship at Zoo of Cologne is organized as part of the "Integrated Ethometry Internship" course (SSTG0053-1) for students of the "ethology orientation" of the Master of Biology of Organisms and Ecology (BOE, block 1).

The objective of the course is to put into practice different methods of behavioural observation. Each group, typically of two or three students, chooses a model species present in the zoo, defines its behavioural repertoire, gets used to recognising each animal individually and quantifies the behaviours through standardised observations (scan and focus methods). In this way, activity budgets and/or social interaction matrices are created, but also possible "observer" effects are highlighted. A presentation is given on site by each group in front of the class. Finally, each group integrates and discusses its observations according to the literature in a report. The internship thus allows the students to confront different aspects common to all scientific research and more particularly to ethology.

Detailed practical information is available on e-campus (access restricted to registered students and those in Block 1).

Pedagogical commitments: SSTG0053-1

For logistical reasons, the internship has a limited number of places and registrations are made in September until the maximum capacity is reached (see pedagogical commitments).

Holders of the course

Mathieu Denoël (coordinator)

Fany Brotcorne

Place and dates

Zoo of Cologne (Kölner Zoo, Germany), in March or april.

Zoo opening hours: 9h-18h

Lodging in Cologne

Reservation

Registrations for the course are required as soon as possible, typically at the start of the academic year (September).

Suggested species for groups of two or three species

Bonobos (Pan paniscus), gorilla (Gorilla gorilla), orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus), buff-headed Capuchin (Cebus xanthosternos)*, Hamadryas babboons (Papo hamadryas)*, black and white ruffed lemurs (Varieca variegata), Asian elephants (Elephas maximus)*, meerkats (Suricata suricatta)*, Asian small-clawed otters (Aonyx cynereus), Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti)*

* Species present entirely and/or regularly outdoors (and/or observable from outdoors).