On Wednesday 23 May, students from Writtle College took part in the 7th Student Animal Welfare Conference at Moulton College – an annual event between Writtle, Moulton and Hartpury Colleges. After an opening lecture from Dr Penny Hawkins (Deputy Head, Research Animals Department, RSPCA) on the new EU directives on the Welfare of Research Animals, three students from each college gave a presentation with a poster session over lunch.
Writtle College took both top prizes. Kimberley Harris won best oral presentation for her talk entitled “Evaluation of the genetic diversity of a captive population of Moloch gibbons (Hylobates moloch)” and Megan Walker won best poster, entitled “Investigation of the behavioural responses of a male and female spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta) in a new captive environment at Colchester Zoo”.
A great day enjoyed by all and a suitable conclusion to their studies for many of our BSc Animal and Equine students.