Research Services

Research Ethics and Integrity

Animal Research Ethics

Observational research: ethics requirements

In instances where University personnel / students undertake activities involving animals, even ostensibly innocuous teaching exercises such as (fauna) spotlighting field trips, the Animal Ethics Committee resolved to:

• require staff at La Trobe University to provide written advice to the Animal Ethics Committee in relation to all activities / teaching exercises where there is potential for impact on animals and their environment. Such advice should include information relative to the field trip objective(s), location, date / time, number of people involved, copies of DSE or other permits where relevant and how animal welfare issues are addressed.

[Minute 36.3 refers]

The decision by the Animal Ethics Committee to approve or decline the proposal must be received for all observational field work at least ten days prior to the commencement of such activities.