We are asking James Cook University to reconsider the proposed changes that would remove the live reptile displays from  The Science Place, reduce the use of live animals in teaching, and remove the specialist aquarist and animal husbandry support that many students and staff rely on. 

For many students, The Science Place is their first opportunity to see and observe native reptiles, marine life, and other animals up close. Every day, students, staff, school groups, and visitors experience these displays, which have become a unique part of JCU and an important way of connecting people with science outside the classroom. 

Behind these displays is a specialist aquarist who not only cares for the Science Place animals and fish tanks, but also maintains the aquarium systems used for teaching, manages the collection and care of live marine species for practical classes, and supplies and maintains live invertebrates that support Zoology and other science teaching activities. 

 This specialist role supports teaching across Zoology, Marine Science, Aquaculture, Veterinary Science, and other disciplines. 

These changes would affect far more than one staff position. They would reduce the hands-on learning opportunities that make studying science at JCU unique and remove the specialist expertise that supports them. 

The proposal would: 

Rehome all the reptiles and other display animals from Science Place, leaving the terrariums empty. 

Reduce the availability of live marine animals used in teaching practicals. 

Remove the specialist aquarist role that maintains teaching aquaria, cares for live marine specimens, and provides animal husbandry support across multiple disciplines. 

Reduce opportunities for volunteers, Work Integrated Learning (WIL) students, and placement students to gain practical experience, while weakening one of JCU's most engaging resources for Open Day, O-Week, school visits, marketing campaigns, and community outreach. 

These resources support hundreds of students through practical teaching every year while also enriching the university experience for thousands more who visit Science Place. They have taken years to build, and once this expertise is lost, it will be extremely difficult to replace. 

We're asking JCU to: 

Keep the live animal displays in Science Place. 

Continue providing live animals for teaching where they add educational value. 

Retain the specialist aquarist and animal husbandry expertise that supports teaching and animal welfare. 

Properly consider the impact these changes will have on students, staff, and the wider community before making a final decision. 

Hands-on learning is one of the reasons many students choose JCU. The Science Place animals, live teaching collections, and specialist expertise behind them are part of what makes the university unique and worth protecting. 

If you value practical science education and want to help protect these resources, please sign this petition and share your experiences, memories, or examples of how these animals have supported learning, engagement, and the JCU community. Personal stories and examples of how these resources have made an impact will help demonstrate why they are worth protecting 

JCU staff: Please provide feedback directly through the official consultation process by emailing educationchange@jcu.edu.au. Staff submissions through this channel will form part of the formal review and help ensure the educational and broader impacts of this proposal are considered.