RESEARCH
Lincolnshire Wildlife Park actively maintains a partnership with the University of Lincoln to facilitate research. This collaboration has led to several undergraduate and postgraduate student research projects at the park, while also generating further interest from other universities seeking research opportunities. Below is a description of the research project approval process, research facilitation efforts by the park, recent and current park research projects, and their value, and future plans. Research Project Approval Process Individuals interested in undertaking research projects at the park are directed to Dr. Anna Wilkinson at the University of Lincoln, who is the Lead Research Coordinator for Lincolnshire Wildlife Park. After discussing research project ideas, Dr. Anna Wilkinson and the interested party present the proposed research to Steve Nichols, CEO and Senior Animal Manager of the Park. Mr. Nichols provides input, indicating the feasibility of the intended project.
Once the project plan has been developed, researchers submit a formal application to the Ethics Review Board at the University of Lincoln for approval. Once approval has been obtained a research project may begin. Lincolnshire Wildlife Park facilitating research In addition to providing guidance during the initial stages of research project development, staff at the park provide training and educational materials on animal welfare and care management. If enclosure modifications are deemed necessary to meet project requirements and have been approved, staff will assist in this process, as well as assisting in construction of research materials. Future plans Lincolnshire Wildlife Park provides unique opportunities to investigate the cognitive abilities, behaviour, welfare, and management of psittacines. This is an area of growing international interest for researchers; however, groups of suitable captive animals are incredibly rare. No other site has the potential to host comprehensive comparative (cross-species) studies of key aspects of parrot behaviour and welfare. Most have access to a small number of birds and house only a few species. 11
