Zoos Victoria welcomes the participation of researchers and institutions in the conduct of collaborative research that uses Zoos Victoria resources. We also welcome applications for research programs that involve the active collaboration of Zoos Victoria personnel. There is also the potential for you to do your own research at one of Zoos Victoria’s three properties – Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Open Range Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary.

Doing Research with Zoos Victoria

All research proposals require consultation with and approval by the Zoos Victoria Research Management Group and, in some cases, the Animal Ethics Committees.

Research Applications

Researchers proposing to undertake research with Zoos Victoria must complete the following key steps:

1. Submission of a Research Proposal application to the Zoos Victoria Research Management Group; and
2. Completion of a Zoos Victoria Animal Ethics Application form for submission to the Zoos Victoria Animal Ethics Committee for those proposals involving the use of animals which potentially have ethical considerations.
3. In addition, all researchers must have read and agree to comply with the Zoos Victoria Researcher's code of conduct (see attached below).

These key steps are explained in more detail below.

Step 1: Research Proposal Review

All prospective researchers must firstly complete a Zoos Victoria Research Management Approval Form (see attached below). Each proposal is then considered by the Zoos Victoria Research Management team at the relevant Zoos Victoria property.

Research proposals will initially be evaluated against the following guidelines:

• Compatibility with Zoos Victoria's Research Strategy and Conservation Strategy (see both attached below)
• Compatibility with husbandry and display standards and requirements
• Impact on visitors, staff routines and workloads
• Scientific methodology
• Budgetary implications for Zoos Victoria
• The potential impact of any intrusive procedures, interventions or other practices to ensure they are not inconsistent with the Board's overall responsibility to the community to maintain the highest possible standards of animal welfare and to impose the minimal possible stress on animals

For those research proposals that do not have any ethical considerations, and are deemed to meet the above criteria, approval to proceed may be given at this stage. Those proposals that have met the above criteria but which potentially have ethical considerations will then proceed to review by Zoos Victoria Animal Ethics Committee as outlined in Step 2 below.

Step 2: Animal Ethics Committee Review

Zoos Victoria is licensed by the Department of Primary Industries for the use of animals in research and teaching under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986. Part of the requirement of this license is that all proposed research involving animals is overseen and approved by an Animal Ethics Committee (AEC).

The Zoos Victoria AEC is made up of a range of representatives as required by the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes who meet on a bi-monthly basis to assess and review the ethical considerations of each proposal.

Considerations for Prospective Researchers

Any proposals involving the use of animals must justify to the AEC that alternatives are not available and that the proposed work has relevant scientific value. Consideration must be given to the three 'R's' - Replacement, Reduction and Refinement as follows:

• Replacement: techniques that replace the use of animals must be sought and used where possible
• Reduction: each project must use no more than the minimum number of animals necessary
• Refinement: projects should actively investigate alternative techniques and procedures that are designed to avoid pain and distress in animals

Further information is available from the Department of Primary Industries.

Projects with Existing Ethics Approval

Proposed research programs that are accompanied by fully documented ethical approval from the researcher's own institutional Ethics Committee will be required to be referred to the Zoos Victoria Animal Ethics Committee for endorsement. A full copy of the institutional Ethics Committee application and documentation of approval should be submitted with the Research Management Approval Form.

Projects not Currently Approved by another Institutional Ethics Committee

Proposed research programs that are not accompanied by fully documented ethical approval from a recognised institutional Ethics Committee will be required to submit a completed Zoos Victoria Animal Ethics Application (see attached below) along with their endorsed Research Management Approval form.

Deadlines for Submission of Research Proposals in 2008

In order for the Animal Ethics Committee to have adequate time to consider individual research proposals, please ensure all application forms and supporting documents are submitted by the following deadlines for consideration at their scheduled meetings.

Director
Wildlife Conservation and Science
Zoos Victoria
PO Box 74Parkville 3052
Email
Tel: (03) 9285 9300
Fax: (03) 9285 9346
International code: 61-3

Prior to submitting a research proposal, please consult with the Director, Wildlife Conservation and Science via email or Tel (03) 92859422.

After Animal Ethics Committee consideration, researchers will be informed of the outcomes and findings by the Committee. Successful applicants are required to submit Annual and Final reports. An acceptance letter will be sent out to the Principle Investigator detailing the scheduling of these reports.

		Zoos Victoria Research Management Approval form ZV Research Application Form Sept 07.doc  ( 107.5 KB )
		Zoos Victoria Research Strategy zvresstrategy.pdf  ( 961.1 KB )
		Zoos Victoria Conservation Strategy zvconsstrategy.pdf  ( 609 KB )
		Zoos Victoria Animal Ethics Application ZV_AEC_Application_Form.doc  ( 128.5 KB )
		Zoos Victoria Researcher's Code of Conduct research_code_of_conduct.pdf  ( 21.8 KB )