AAP Summer Course 2012: Husbandry of rescued primates

AAP Summer Course 2012: Husbandry of rescued primates 

AAP, Rescue Center for Exotic Animals in the Netherlands, organises once again, after her first very successful course, the Summer Course “ Husbandry of rescued primates” in August. What happens in a rescue centre such as AAP, to resocialise and rehome traumatised, exotic animals. Different subjects will be addressed varying from policy issues, prevention, veterinary care (capturing, handling, prevention and treatment of diseases) and behavioural care (observations, enrichment, reducing abnormal behaviour and resocialise the animal in order for it to be able to live in a group with conspecifics). These subjects and much more will all be addressed during this unique course from 27th to 31th of August 2012 at AAP, Rescue Center for Exotic Animals.

Summer Course: Husbandry of rescued primates
AAP Rescue centre for Exotic Animals in Almere, The Netherlands, is one of the world’s major primate rescue, rehabilitation and resocialisation centres. For the past 40 years, AAP has rehabilitated many primate species, amongst which many kinds of macaques, baboons and vervet monkeys, but also many other mammals, like raccoons, coatis and squirrels. These animals all had in common that they were kept under poor circumstances and were in desperate need to be rescued. Some used to live as pets, others as clowns in circuses, as laboratory animals or were living in zoos of poor quality.
AAP is an expert in the field of animal rehabilitation. The animals that enter rescue centres are often completely void of species-appropriate behaviour, are used to unnatural diets (like chocolate and French fries) and may be ill or have zoonotic diseases. AAP provides these animal with a temporary home, rehabilitates them and eventually relocates them to a more permanent home (for example zoos). With more than 40 years of experience and currently more than 100 animals that are rescued annually, AAP has a leading role regarding the rescue and rehabilitation of primates in Europe.
This course will provide participants the unique chance to learn more about all the aspects of veterinary and behavioural care and about the role of sanctuaries in prevention of primate exploitation by humans. This course will be held at a top European sanctuary, which has accumulated decades of knowledge into a well-balanced and challenging course for students and experienced caretakers.

Aim of the course

As a non-profit organization, AAP is more than willing to share its knowledge with people who have an interest in animal rescue and rehabilitation. The aim of this course is to provide the participants with a large amount of relevant theoretical and practical knowledge on primate and mammal rescue and rehabilitation. The topics range from veterinary rehabilitation to ethology, and nutrition to AAP policy issues. The course provides an excellent opportunity for participants to learn about rescue, rehabilitation and resocialisation of primates in one of Europe’s leading primate sanctuaries.

Course outline

The course will be held from 27 until 31 August 2012. During the sessions, there will be several theoretical topics, like veterinary care, housing and enrichment and behavioural monitoring. These presentations will be given by experts on the particular topics. This theoretical knowledge of the presentations will be the base of the practical work at AAP. Participants will get hands-on experience with many aspects of the ins and outs of the rescue centre.

Target group

All people that are MSc student (or a higher educational level), caretakers that can handle BSc+ level, and managers of sanctuaries that would like the chance to learn about all aspects of primate rescue and rehabilitation, which will include applied animal management and behaviour. The unique combination of sanctuary managers, caretakers and students will allow participants to expand their professional network.

For Further Information click HERE