Wild Animal Species Monitoring Techniques Training

Learning Outcomes

• Apply appropriate monitoring techniques to detect the presence or absence of target wild animal species.
• Analyze field data to determine species occurrence patterns and trends.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of different monitoring methods for specific species and habitats.
• Design a species monitoring plan that includes site selection, sampling design, and data collection protocols.
• Implement monitoring activities in compliance with ethical and safety standards.
• Demonstrate the ability to record, interpret, and report monitoring results to stakeholders.

Target Audience

This course is designed for field rangers, conservation officers, wildlife monitors, and environmental managers working in game reserves, national parks, or private wildlife estates.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment

Course Outline

Practicals

Overview

Hands-on practicals are integral to this course, allowing learners to apply monitoring techniques in real or simulated field conditions. Learners will gain proficiency in equipment operation, data collection, and analysis through supervised exercises.

Practical Activities

• Field Identification and Sign Survey — Learners practice species identification using field guides and binoculars, then conduct a sign survey for tracks, scat, and other signs along a transect. (8h)
• Camera Trap Deployment and Analysis — Learners deploy camera traps at strategic locations, retrieve data, and analyse images to estimate species richness and activity patterns. (8h)
• Radio Telemetry Exercise — Using VHF telemetry equipment, learners track hidden transmitters (simulating animals) by triangulation and homing, then plot locations on a map. (8h)
• Capture-Mark-Recapture Simulation — Learners simulate a CMR study using marked objects (e.g., beans or toy animals) to estimate population size and understand assumptions. (6h)
• Integrated Field Survey and Reporting — Learners design and execute a mini survey combining transect, camera trap, and sign methods, then analyse data and present findings. (6h)

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course via daily exercises, scored practical assignments, and a final summative test at the end.

Practical Assignments — 30%

Practical assignments are observed and scored against a rubric during the practical sessions. Each delegate's practical mark is averaged into a single 100% score and contributes 30% to the final total.

Daily Exercises — 20%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 20% to the final total.

Final Test — 50%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 50% to the overall mark.

Final Total

Component	Out of	Weight
Practical Assignments (rubric-scored)	100%	30%
Daily Average (multiple choice)	100%	20%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice)	100%	50%
Final Total	—	100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

How it works

• Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
• Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
• You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
• If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.

Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates	Discount
5	3% off
10	6% off
15	9% off
20	12% off
25	15% off
30	18% off
50	30% off
75	35% off
100	40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.