Introduction

The Marjorie & Edward Ziff Tropical World is an attraction owned and managed by Leeds City Council.

Tropical World first opened in 1939 after the existing Coronation House was rebuilt, it was further modernised in 1984. Tropical World went on to benefit from further investment and modifications to what we see today. 

Tropical World benefits from a large tropical plant and animal collection and remains one of the top Yorkshire Attractions, usually seeing circa 300k visitors every year. 

Tropical World is situated in the Green Flag award winning conservation area of Roundhay Park. Roundhay Park covers over 700 acres of rolling parkland with lakes, woodlands, formal gardens, cafes, sports facilities, and playground.

Tropical World is made up of seven main houses:

  • Butterfly House
  • Aquarium
  • Waterfall House
  • Creature Corner
  • Rainforest Canopy
  • Desert House
  • Creature Cavern

This policy covers all research covered by Tropical World staff, volunteers and external researchers using resources from or within the Tropical World Zoo. The applicant must agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Research Policy. Applications to conduct research should be made using the Tropical World – Research Project application form. All research projects must be approved before they can begin. The completed Research Project application form must be submitted to tropicalworld.research@Leeds.gov.uk

Tropical World’s Mission Statement

Above all, to provide a high standard of animal welfare and husbandry. 

To deliver a first-class service to the visiting public by representing the tropical and arid areas of the world.

To promote the awareness of endangered animal and plant species through education.

Aims

Tropical World aims to create partnerships with researchers within academic institutions to conduct research that improves captive animal management, assists with in-situ and ex-situ conservation and knowledge of animals and their natural habitats. 

We accept research from all levels of academic study as well as scientific professionals. 

Research within Tropical World collection covers a broad range of subjects, we aim to explore non-invasive research in as many ways as possible including

  • Animal Behaviour
  • Nutrition
  • Social sciences
  • Captive breeding programs
  • Genetics
  • Veterinary Science
  • Animal Records
  • Education and Interpretation

Approach 

Tropical World have areas of research we would ideally like to explore, see Tropical World Research Strategy document. Tropical World would accept research projects proposed by students in other areas, upon agreement at ethical review, providing it can be demonstrated that the proposed research is of benefit to captive animal husbandry and/or animal conservation.

For ethical guidelines for animals please refer to the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB) which are available online at: https://www.asab.org/

For more information regarding ethical review please refer to the BIAZA Research guidelines available at: https://biaza.org.uk/research-resources

Please note Tropical World will not accept applications that compromise welfare or are not feasible for the zoo, which will be discussed after submission of a completed Research Project proposal form.  Priority will be given to any research benefitting Tropical World’s animal collection in the first instance.

Application Procedure

Tropical World requires that initial contact is made by the researcher through a shared email account that is accessible by the Zoo Registrar and Animal Officer. Outreach work may also be conducted by Tropical World to further improve potential reach. 

  • Either the Zoo Registrar or Animal Officer will discuss the proposed project with the interested party.
  • A Tropical World Research Project application form must be submitted providing information about you, the research project and your academic details.
  • An assessment of the submitted proposal will then be undertaken by Zoo Registrar and Animal Officer.
  • Applications are assessed as soon as possible. Applicants should be aware it may take up to one month to approve or decline proposals as agreement must be given at ethical review. Please allow this time when submitting applications.
  • Confirmation will be given to the applicant as soon as possible as to whether this has been accepted or declined. Some modifications or alterations may be suggested.
  • If the project is accepted the applicant will receive an invite to attend an induction. 

Assessment of Research Proposals 

All research proposals will be assessed by the Zoo Registrar and Animal Officer before agreement is granted. Priority will be given to specific studies benefitting Tropical World, but all proposals will be considered.  

Guidelines for assessment are:

  • Value to captive animal management, conservation, and scientific knowledge.
  • All research should involve non-evasive methods to impose minimal stress to the animals.
  • Research that will protect and conserve animals in captivity and their natural habitat.
  • Impact on Tropical World staff.
  • Methodology of the proposed research. Proposals must be realistic and achievable. 

Terms and Conditions

All proposed research that is to be conducted at Tropical World is subject to approval through ethical review before commencement. 

Any research proposals which would requiring a home office licence for any of its components will not be approved. Research that could affect the health and welfare of the animals will be declined. 

Resources and equipment that are to be used must be pre-approved by Tropical World before the project begins, outlined in the project application form. Tropical World accepts no liability for equipment lost, stolen or damaged whilst conducting research. 

Tropical World will provide information relating to the study (upon request in the research project application form). This could include species, husbandry needs and diet. 

Academic Supervision 

Researchers are expected to develop their research proposal in agreement with their academic supervisors. If the project is approved, they should continue to seek academic advice from their supervisor to ensure a successful outcome.

The Zoo Registrar/Animal Officer will act as a ‘zoo contact’ for researchers whilst they are carrying out their research but otherwise will not retain any academic supervisory responsibility, unless all involved parties agree otherwise before the project begins.

Equipment and Materials 

All equipment and materials required for the project should be outlined in the initial project proposal, and unless otherwise agreed all equipment and materials should be supplied by the researcher and/or their academic institution. While on site at Tropical World, the researcher is responsible for their own equipment and materials, Tropical World accepts no responsibility for any missing or damaged equipment and materials that may occur during the project.

Biological Samples 

Biological samples (such as faeces etc.) will be available to collect only opportunistically, and samples cannot be guaranteed to be available during a given period of time. It is the responsibility of the researcher to ensure proper health and safety protocols are followed during the handling and transportation of samples. Any biological samples obtained at Tropical World are not to be exported from the United Kingdom unless agreed during the project proposal stage, in which case it is the responsibility of the researcher to ensure all legal protocols (e.g. CITES) are followed.

All biological samples supplied by Tropical World are, and will remain, its property. It is the responsibility of the researcher that after project completion all samples are destroyed (in line with Animal By-Products Regulations 2005) or returned to Tropical World.

Samples and data acquired from Tropical World may not be used for anything other than the purpose described in the project proposal document and may not be passed onto third parties without prior notification and consent from Tropical World.

Changes to project post-commencement 

Any changes to the research project must be discussed and agreed by Tropical World prior to changes being made. Any changes requested after the commencement of the project may be subject to ethical approval. 

Project Termination 

Tropical World reserves the right to terminate the research agreement at any time in case of management issues (e.g. sudden requirement to move an animal or where Tropical World is dissatisfied with a researcher’s conduct, or in the event of a Health & Safety issue such as Avian Influenza). In some cases, it may not be possible to give a reason. The zoo will endeavour to give as much notice as possible if they do decide to terminate the agreement.

Health & Safety and Insurance 

As a Local Authority Zoo, researchers at Tropical World are covered by the Leeds City Council’s liability insurance. If approval is given for researchers to be given access to ‘off-show areas’ (e.g. the animal kitchen, animal enclosure service areas) it is the responsibility of Tropical World to ensure the proper induction has taken place and the correct risk assessments have been read and signed as understood. Students have the same responsibilities and guarantees as employees in terms of health and safety.

The researcher will be given an induction upon their first visit to the Tropical World site. This covers the following topics in the form of a walk around site, risk assessments and SOP’s (Standard Operating Procedures):

  • Animal escape protocols
  • Fire alarm protocols
  • Hand hygiene
  • Signing in and out
  • Photography protocol
  • Code of conduct

Code of Conduct

All researchers are expected to conduct themselves in a professional and approachable manner while at Tropical World, in line with LCC’s core values. The researcher will be considered as a representative of both their own academic institution as well as Tropical World, and their behaviour should reflect this.

Entry to Tropical World

The hours of entry to Tropical World are decided and agreed during the research proposal phase. Once the project begins, the researcher will be issued a lanyard which displays some basic information (researcher name, project start and end dates, researcher photo) to allow for access into the zoo during the day. At the end of the project, it is the responsibility of the student to return the lanyard to the Zoo Registrar/Animal Officer. A digital copy of the information collected on the lanyard will be confidentially retained on file in line with GDPR/Data Protection Act 1998.

Funding

Researchers are required to cover any costs generated by their approved projects. For biological samples this includes the supply of consumables (e.g., sample pots), organisation of pick up (transport/courier/post) and any permits or additional equipment needed.

Provision of results to Tropical World

The researcher must submit a copy of the project in its entirety to Tropical World upon completion. The report may be in the form of a dissertation, a published paper or a report written specifically for Tropical World. For any projects lasting longer than 12-months then an annual progress report must be provided. All raw data, recordings, photographs must be submitted digitally to Tropical World within one month of the end of the project.

Publications

Tropical World requires final approval on all documents submitted for publication. If the researcher is considering publication then Tropical World must be consulted and mutual agreement obtained regarding co-authorship and acknowledgements prior to submission. Even if no Tropical World staff are co-authors, publications presenting data derived from Tropical World must be circulated to Tropical World for comments in line with normal scientific practice. This applied to all types of publications including abstracts for poster or oral presentations and journal manuscripts.

All reports including conference presentations, posters, journal articles etc. should acknowledge the support/contribution made by Tropical World and digital copies should be sent to Tropical World upon completion.

Data Collection/GDPR

Data and samples collected at Tropical World may only be used for the purpose of the research project. Anything passed to a third party may only be done so with prior consent from the Animal Officer and Zoo Registrar at Tropical World. 

All data collected as a part of research at Tropical World should be made available to Tropical World without restriction. Tropical World will retain all data related to these research projects including final reports on its internal database. Tropical World reserves the right to retain, copy, analyse and distribute data with interested parties at its discretion unless otherwise agreed before a project commences. All data collected

Privacy

Researchers filming, photographing or audio recording animals as part of their project must avoid capturing image of, or audio from, members of the public and Tropical World staff. If members of the public or Tropical World staff can clearly be seen in an image (i.e. face is in clear view) then please contact Tropical World for advice before including in reports. If researchers want to use images/audio of people in their study, consent must be obtained from the participants and Tropical World will need to see the consent form prior to the project commencing.

Confidentiality

Researchers at Tropical World are required to follow the same confidentiality rules as paid staff. Due to potentially accessing off-show areas of the zoo, researchers could possibly become aware of confidential information regarding the zoo, its staff, suppliers etc. Researchers are not to disclose this information to anyone outside the zoo or use it for their own or another’s benefit without the consent of the party concerned. This does not prevent disclosure once the information is in the public domain, providing it hasn’t been made public by a volunteer’s breach of confidentiality, or where the law permits or requires disclosure.

Media and Publicity

Tropical World’s media and publicity are managed by the Leeds City Council marketing department, including distributing press releases and materials and responding to media requests and comments. Non-marketing-department staff and external researchers should not engage or consult with the media, or make any public statement of any kind relating to data/samples/film/photographs collected at Tropical World. If a researcher is approached by a member of the press they should direct them to the Registrar or Animal Officer who will then direct them to the marketing department. This includes sharing any of the above information on any kind of social media channel.

The content of project reports may be used by Tropical World for non-scientific publicity purposes without notifying the researcher.