Animal ethics is a vital consideration in Western Australia, especially for those conducting scientific studies involving fauna.

This workshop directly addresses the complexities and challenges of navigating the regulatory landscape of animal ethics, providing a forum for practitioners, researchers, and stakeholders to enhance their understanding of relevant regulations and best practices in humane animal handling.

We are delighted to announce the workshop’s speakers and panellists:

• Keith Morris | Chair, Wildlife Animal Ethics Committee
• Dr Jacqui Richards | Senior Conservation Zoologist, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) | Chairperson DBCA Animal Ethics Committee
• Sarah Young | Policy Officer, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
• Dr Scott Thompson | Partner and Principal Zoologist, Terrestrial Ecosystems
• Roy Teale | Zoologist / Director, Biota Environmental Consultants
• Dr Teagan Douglas | Manager - Black Cockatoos, Birdlife Australia
• Dr Justine Barker | Environmental Research Scientist - Fauna, Alcoa
• Dr Ruchira Somaweera | Practice Lead for Ecology and Principal Scientist, Stantec

Why Attend?

Activities such as surveys, live capture, and translocations must be carried out in line with ethical standards to ensure the welfare of animals. The Animal Welfare Act 2002 requires institutions and environmental scientists to be licensed and to adhere to the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes, ensuring humane and ethical practices. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's Wildlife Animal Ethics Committee (WAEC) plays a key role in determining whether proposed research aligns with these standards and monitors ongoing projects to ensure compliance.

This workshop is an opportunity to stay ahead of evolving practices and regulations in animal ethics and welfare. It will enable participants to access expert perspectives to improve animal handling and ethical standards in WA.

What to Expect

The workshop will cover a range of crucial themes related to animal ethics, including:

• The types of fauna surveys that require approval
• Scientific Use Licences (SUL)
• Exploring euthanasia approaches in both field and laboratory settings

Participants will also gain insights into the expectations and considerations of the WAEC when assessing applications, and learn about Traditional Owner approaches to animal ethics. The goal is to promote excellence in animal welfare in WA and explore effective ways to ensure best practices in animal handling.

Who Should Attend?

This workshop is designed for a broad range of environmental practitioners and stakeholders, including professionals from planning, government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the resource sector, community groups, and more. It is open to anyone with an interest in animal ethics and welfare.

Whether you’re directly involved in animal handling or in an adjacent field, the workshop is intended to be an inclusive forum to discuss ethical standards across different industries.

Registrations are now open!

The Animal Ethics and Welfare for Environmental Practitioners Workshop will include a full day of technical presentations and panel discussions. Attendees will be provided with lunch and light refreshments during morning tea and afternoon tea.

Registration rates

*This is an all inclusive price charged in AUD including GST. A subsidised rate of $150 is available to non-member students and non-for-profit organisations. Kindly get in touch with us to verify your eligibility: wa@eianz.org

Not an EIANZ member?

To receive the member rate for the conference, consider joining as an associate or full member of EIANZ! To take advantage of the reduced rate, be sure to join as a member before you register for the symposium. Join here →

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsorship of the Animal Ethics and Welfare: Workshop for Environmental Practitioners provides an outstanding opportunity to secure high profile brand recognition with delegates and speakers who are leaders in environmental practice in Western Australia. This sponsorship opportunity will directly support Indigenous participation to the workshop, enabling a speaker from the Kimberley region to share and present a Traditional Owner’s perspective on animal ethics.

Benefits of sponsorship include:

• Opportunity for targeted exposure to leaders and practitioners in the field of animal ethics
• Direct access to a captive audience of your potential future customers, consultants and/or workforce
• Demonstrates commitment to best practice environmental outcomes
• Demonstrates commitment to early career environmental professionals and their career development

Please contact us to learn more about this sponsorship opportunity: wa@eianz.org.

View the sponsorship flyer →

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