Practical Zoo Nutrition Management

Practical Zoo Nutrition Management

We are pleased to announce the next offering of “Practical Zoo Nutrition Management” through the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation in Front Royal, Virginia.

The course is not designed to “create a nutritionist in 5 days” (some of you already fill that role, others have a tangential daily role in zoo nutrition, some are getting into the field, etc).  It is designed to teach, learn about, and discuss many aspects of modern zoo nutrition management that we can / might face on a daily basis.  It is designed to immerse the participants in zoo nutrition for an intensive week of instruction and interaction (and FUN).  We hope to have zoo professionals (nutritionists, commissary managers, vets, curators, keepers), academics, graduate students, and other related wildlife professionals participate in order to provide for diversity in backgrounds, experiences, questions, and discussion.

We conducted this course earlier this year and both the students and instructors had a great time, while collectively increasing our nutrition knowledge base.  Given that it was the first time we offered it, we also learned a lot about the course itself – flow, pace, content, etc – in order to improve on an already solid plan.  We expect another fantastic week.

The course is being offered from 5-9 June 2017, but it is not too early to apply.  Application details are available via the link: http://smconservation.gmu.edu/programs/graduate-and-professional/professional-training-courses/nutrition/

Peter Dickinson Independent International Zoo Consultant +971 50 4787 122 | elvinhow@gmail.com | Skype: peter.dickinson48

Is City zoo a curse for cubs?

This story in the press today got my back up. I thought it needed to be examined in more detail. I have posted the full story further down the page. Why does it bother me so much? Because I see countless similar stories (Sadly a lot from Indian zoos). It is going to continue until someone in authority pulls their finger out and teaches people what big cats need, It isn't the cats to blame...it is the staff.

 He said that both the cubs were suffering from lung infection and respiratory problems since their birth.

Just how do they know that? Nobody should know it. It points to human interference right at the very start. Big cats need somewhere quiet, secluded and secure to cub. That is obviously not the case here. This is the root cause of their problems.

On Wednesday night, a guard noticed the 20-day-old cub of Diya lying unconscious. He informed zoo authorities about it

What is any 'guard' doing checking on 20 day old cubs at night. Again disturbing a mother with her cubs.

They rushed to the tigress enclosure, but its mother did not allow them to examine it. Later, somehow the zoo staff managed to lock Diya in another shelter and took the cub for examine.

More pointless stressful disturbance. Suggests a significant time of trying to split the mother off. She obviously didn't want to leave the cub. Just what did they do to get her away?

They, however, had died due to mishandling by their respective mothers. Megha and Diya had picked their cubs up by the flesh rather than the skin around their necks.

This sort of injury is caused by stressed mothers. It isn't mishandling....it is stress caused by interfering staff.

This is a proper cubbing den in ZSL

Is City zoo a curse for cubs?

Indore : The city zoo is proving a curse to newborn cubs of big cats as they continue to die for one or other reasons. A pall of gloom descended on the city zoo on Thursday as the last surviving cub of white tigress Diya died nearly 20 days after he was born.

Diya had given birth to two cubs on May 28. One of them had died of lung infection about 10 days back. “The second also passed away due to lung infection,” zoo in-charge Dr Uttam Yadav said. He said that both the cubs were suffering from lung infection and respiratory problems since their birth.

According to zoo officials, the deceased cub was declared dead only after post mortem which was done early morning on Thursday. On Wednesday night, a guard noticed the 20-day-old cub of Diya lying unconscious. He informed zoo authorities about it. They rushed to the tigress enclosure, but its mother did not allow them to examine it. Later, somehow the zoo staff managed to lock Diya in another shelter and took the cub for examine.

Yadav said that the cub was not breathing. “He had died in the enclosure,” he said adding that the post-mortem found that the cub was suffering from the lung infection just like the first one.

Three cubs die in last 35 days

In past 35 days, three newborn cubs had died at city zoo. Earlier, one of the five newborn cubs of lioness Megha had also died in the first week of May due to respiratory problems.

Last year also, six cubs, three each of Diya and Megha had died at the zoo. They, however, had died due to mishandling by their respective mothers. Megha and Diya had picked their cubs up by the flesh rather than the skin around their necks. The move proved fatal for the cubs. The number of big cats in the city zoo has reduced to 30 from 33.

http://www.freepressjournal.in/is-city-zoo-a-curse-for-cubs/

Hand Rearing Lion Cubs and Other Carnivores

Conservation Breeding and Husbandry of Callitrichids

Conservation Breeding and Husbandry of Callitrichids

Conservation Breeding and Husbandry of Callitrichids is a four day intensive course designed to equip participants with the necessary skills to successfully manage and breed primates, particularly callitrichids in captivity.

Who is it for?

The course is targeted at curators, keepers and veterinarians from zoos and other institutions (e.g. universities) involved in the captive management of primates

What is the course content?

The course will cover the following topics:

• Planning your captive collection: making the link to the wild.
• Enclosure design, stress management and nutrition.
• Past, present and future for callitrichid conservation and the role of zoos.

Learn more

HERE

Avian Egg Incubation Workshop

The Avian egg incubation workshop is a five day practical workshop designed to give participants the skills required to successfully incubate bird eggs and deal with problems that could arise.

What is the course content?

The workshop will cover the following:

• Embryo and membrane development
• Factors affecting hatchability before and during incubation
• Hatchery management techniques
• Artificial incubation and its role in field conservation programmes
   

Learn more

HERE

Conservation Breeding and Husbandry of Birds

Conservation Breeding and Husbandry of Birds

The Conservation Breeding and Husbandry of Birds is a five-day course designed to equip you with the necessary skills to successfully manage and breed birds in captivity. 

Who is it for?

The course is targeted at curators, keepers and veterinarians from zoos and other institutions (e.g. universities) and private keepers involved in the captive management of birds.

What is the course content?

The course will cover the following topics:

• Planning your captive bird collection
• Bird behaviour and ecology
• Enclosure design and management
• Hand rearing and incubation techniques
• Record keeping and population management
• Feeding and nutrition

Learn more

HERE

2015 Courses at Durrell Conservation Academy

2015 Courses at Durrell Conservation Academy

An Introduction to GIS for Conservation Managers

16^th February – 21^st February 2015

Location: Jersey

Most of the great issues confronting modern conservation have a spatial element. This five day course is designed to provide participants with an understanding of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). GIS is a computing tool that provides high quality data to underpin conservation action, allowing information about species, habitats and landscapes to be described, analysed, and graphically represented.

The course is co-directed by Durrell Conservation Academy staff in association with Dr Mark O’Connell, Director of Ecological Research & Training.

Course fee: £575 - On-site accommodation is available for £35 per night, including meals.

More: http://www.durrell.org/training/courses/an-introduction-to-gis-for-conservation-managers-/

Facilitation and Communications Skills

23rd February – 27^th February 2015

Location: Jersey

During the course you will learn and practise essential workshop facilitation skills, including:

• Decision making
• Conflict management
• Cross-cultural sensitivity
• Group dynamics
• Active listening
• Consensus building

The course is co-directed by Dr Susie Ellis, Executive Director of the International Rhino Foundation, and Dr Kristin Leus, Programme Officer for CBSG-Europe, in association with Durrell staff. It will be based at Durrell Conservation Academy at Durrell's headquarters on the Island of Jersey, British Channel Islands.

Course fee: £575 - On-site accommodation is available for £35 per night, including meals.

More: http://www.durrell.org/training/courses/facilitation-and-communications-skills-/

Endangered Species Recovery

20^th July – 31^st July 2015

Location: Jersey

The Endangered Species Recovery (ESR) course is a two week introduction to the issues and practical skills involved in saving threatened species from extinction. You will develop a critical understanding of biodiversity conservation and the issues it raises, as well as practical research skills. This course is perfectly suited for those wanting an up to date summary, and has also proved invaluable to those considering a career change to conservation as a profession.

The course will be based at Durrell Conservation Academy at Durrell’s headquarters in Jersey. Teaching will be delivered by Durrell’s own conservation specialists and several internationally renowned experts brought in from elsewhere.

Course fee: £1,000 - On-site accommodation is available for £35 per night, including meals.

More: http://www.durrell.org/training/courses/endangered-species-recovery/

Latest Developments in Primate Conservation

6^th September – 10^th September 2015

Location: Jersey

The course is designed for anyone working in or considering working in the field of primate conservation, or others simply wishing to gain a detailed up to date understanding of this topic (e.g. educators). You will develop your knowledge of the latest primate conservation theory, and gain key practical skills.

The course is run in conjunction with primate conservation practitioners within Durrell, and confirmed guest lecturers, leading gorilla specialist Ian Redmond OBE, primate expert Prof John Fa, and Emeritus Professor Simon Bearder from Oxford Brookes University.

A limited number of opportunities will be available for course participants to gain practical primate husbandry experience alongside the course.

Course fee: £575 - On-site accommodation is available for £35 per night, including meals.

More: http://www.durrell.org/training/courses/latest-developments-in-primate-conservation/

Conservation Breeding and Husbandry of Birds

5^th October – 9^th October 2015

Location: Jersey

The Conservation Breeding and Husbandry of Birds is a five-day course designed to equip you with the necessary skills to successfully manage and breed birds in captivity. The course is targeted at curators, keepers and veterinarians from zoos and other institutions (e.g. universities) and private keepers involved in the captive management of birds.

The course will be run by Durrell's Bird Department in conjunction with Durrell Conservation Academy. Course faculty will include visiting experts in bird husbandry and conservation.

Course fee: £575 - On-site accommodation is available for £35 per night, including meals.

More: http://www.durrell.org/training/courses/conservation-breeding-and-husbandry-of-birds-/

Conservation Breeding and Husbandry of Callitrichids

13^th October – 16^th October 2015

Location: Jersey

Conservation Breeding and Husbandry of Callitrichids is a four day intensive course designed to equip participants with the necessary skills to successfully manage and breed primates, particularly callitrichids in captivity. The course is targeted at curators, keepers and veterinarians from zoos and other institutions (e.g. universities) involved in the captive management of primates.

The course will be run by Durrell Conservation Academy in conjunction with Durrell's mammal and veterinary departments. Course faculty will include visiting experts in callitrichid husbandry and conservation.

Course fee: £460 - On-site accommodation is available for £35 per night, including meals.

More: http://www.durrell.org/training/courses/conservation-breeding-and-husbandry-of-callitrichids/

Durrell Conservation Academy

Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust
Direct: +44 (0)1534 860037
Fax: +44 (0)1534 860002

academy.volunteer@durrell.org
www.durrell.org

Les Augrès Manor, La Profonde Rue,
Trinity, Jersey JE3 5BP
Channel Islands, United Kingdom

Conservation Breeding Centers for Wildlife Sustainability

Conservation Breeding Centers for Wildlife Sustainability

Historically, approaches for preserving biodiversity have centered on saving habitat and, by default, protecting species living in these native environments (in situ).  However, the magnitude of the species crisis means we must extend our strategies, including considering how zoos and breeding centers can play a larger role (ex situ approaches). Traditional captive programs are severely limited by space, and most captive populations are not self-sustaining.  The zoological community is experiencing a real and growing crisis about its capacity to maintain living collections that are genetically vigorous and demographically stable.  There is a consortium, however, called the Conservation Centers for Species Survival (C2S2) that collectively manages thousands of acres and has decades of experience in conservation breeding.  C2S2 cooperatively applies its unique resources for the survival of species with unique needs – large areas, natural group sizes, minimal public disturbance and research.

This exciting new 1-week course will share the details of the specialized C2S2 expertise and facilities that manage, study and reproduce wild animals on a sufficient scale to create demographically and genetically stable populations.  These organizations are ‘non-traditional’ in that they have substantial space and specialized resources that allow animal production as well as scientific study and population recovery, including for reintroduction.  This course, through lectures, discussions and field demonstrations, is designed to communicate information on the philosophies, practices, facilities and expertise associated with ‘conservation breeding’, including what makes breeding centers unique and effective. Based on the interests of participants, additional related topics may include public awareness, conservation education, guest experience and financial sustainability.  The course will be led by Dr. David Wildt (SCBI) and will be taught by a team of expert instructors from within C2S2 institutions.

See More

http://smconservation.gmu.edu/programs/graduate-and-professional/professional-training-courses/conservation-breeding-centers-for-wildlife-sustainability/ 

The International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators Symposium

IAATE International Symposium

The International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators Symposium

Brisbane 2014: IAATE Down Under

July 3-4, 2014

Hosted in Brisbane, Austraila

For more information please click

HERE

2014 Presenter Conference

2014 Presenter Conference 

 Chester Zoo - Wednesday 19th March

Attracting, Engaging and Inspiring our Visitors

Are you trying to enthuse your visitors about science, nature and conservation?  Then this year’s Presenter Conference is the one for you! 

It’s taking place at Chester Zoo and we’re now happy to attach the programme and hope that you’ll be interested in attending.  In particular, we’re looking forward to David Price, our guest speaker, who will be talking about enthusing visitors about science with on the spot ‘busking’.  Should be fun!  David will be presenting and running a workshop.

  

The Conference will be held in our Lecture Theatre and in the zoo.  If you’re attending the Conference and would also like to visit the zoo on either Tuesday 18th March or Thursday 20th March, please let Kate know and we’ll organise free entry for you as delegates of the Conference.

  

The cost of the conference is £45.00 which includes registration, lunch and refreshments.  We hope the programme has whetted your appetite and if so, please register by using the attached booking form and sending it to Kate at k.brankin@chesterzoo.org 

The closing date for registrations is Wednesday 5th March.  Let us know, too, whether you’d like to attend the Icebreaker on the evening of Tuesday 18th March.

Asian Elephant Health, Reproduction and Breeding Management - 2014

This is an International training course on the management of nutrition, health, reproduction and breeding of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). The course has two components: (a) a stand-alone distance learning (online-based) course of 6 weeks duration that can be done from the participant’s home country, and (b) a hands-on practical training course of one-week that will be conducted on-site in Sri Lanka.

The distance learning course is designed to provide participants with background knowledge in elephant anatomy, physiology, nutrition, management, reproduction, breeding, health and diseases. It will include interactive on-line discussions with tutors, quizzes, an individual assignment and a terminal assessment. It is designed to provide the knowledge necessary for participants to fully engage in and benefit from the on-site practical training course.

The on-site course will include one day of lecture/discussions at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine & Animal Science of the University of Peradeniya, followed by 4 days of practical training and demonstrations at the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage (PEO) and the Elephant Transit Home (ETH), plus a game drive through the Uda-Walawe National Park (UWNP). The PEO has a herd of over 85 elephants of all ages and a highly successful natural breeding programme that has produced over 70 calves. The ETH is engaged in rehabilitating, conditioning and returning orphaned elephant calves back to the wild. It has a population of around 40 calves at any given time and has released over 100 calves back to the wild. The UWNP has an extent of 30,000 ha, contains a rich diversity of fauna and flora, and is home to over 600 wild elephants. Participants will therefore have a unique opportunity to gain experience on different semi-captive and wild elephant management systems.

Download our Registration Form Here

Course Dates - Applications Close May 1st 2014

Registration		12th May – 18th May
Unit 1	Elephant Anatomy, Physiology, Nutrition and Management	19th May – 25th May
1.1	Relevant Clinical Anatomy and Physiology
1.2	Nutrition and Feeding, Body Condition Scoring, Neonatal Care
1.3	Management / Preventive Care (Range Countries and Western Zoos)
Unit 2	Reproductive Anatomy, Physiology and Management	26th May – 1st June
2.1	The Female Elephant
2.1	The Male Elephant
2.3	Breeding and Parturition Management
Unit 3	Reproductive management, Semen Collection and AI	2nd June – 8th June
3.1	Endocrine Monitoring of Females
3.2	Endocrine Monitoring of Males
3.3	Semen Collection and Evaluation
3.4	Ultrasonography
3.5	Artificial Insemination
3.6	Conservation Genetics
Unit 4	Health, Diseases, surveillance and restraint	9th June – 15th June
4.1	Health and Physical Examination
4.2	Diagnostic Aids
4.3	Therapeutics
4.4	Disease (Non-Infectious Diseases and Infectious Diseases)
4.5	Restraint and Anaesthesia
Assessment	Submission of Assignment Report & Test	16th – 19th June
Practical component	Sri Lanka: University of Peradeniya, Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, Elephant Transit Home and Uda-Walawe National Park (Programme available on request)	7th – 11th July
Optional Post-Course Tours	Can be arranged on request: Yala National Park, Bundala National Park, etc.	12th July onwards

Course Partners

  
This course is a collaboration between the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Department of National Zoological Gardens and Department of Wildlife Conservation in Sri Lanka, Chiang Mai University and National Elephant Institute in Thailand, the Royal Veterinary College in London (UK) and the Smithsonian's Conservation Biology Institute in the USA. It is partially sponsored by the British Council and Bayer plc UK.

Applications Close: May 1st 2014

Download our Registration Form Here Further information: info@asiaelephanthealth.org

Reduced fees

The number of places on both the distance learning and practical courses for participants from “Asian elephant range countries” and for students are limited, as these places are on reduced fees. If you require further information regarding fees or any other details, please email your details to info@asiaelephanthealth.org

Partially Funded by

 

Elephant Training Course Costs

Course Fees	Online Component	Practical Component	Combined Fees
Range Countries*	£50	£150	£200
Reduced Fees**	£150	£400	£550
Non range countries	£350	£400	£750
* Nationals of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, plus Singapore **Students (you must prove that you are a registered student)
Travel
International Travel to Sri Lanka	Not Included
Airport Transfer from Colombo Airport to Kandy	Not Included	LKR (Sri Lankan Rupees) 7,500 (approx. cost)
Internal Transport associated with the course	Included
Accommodation
Stay in Kandy (6th, 7th and 8th July)	Not Included	Approx LKR (Sri Lankan Rupee) 5,000-6,000 /night for 2-3 Star type Hotels. Cheaper options in guest houses will be available for students and those on a more limited budget
Stay at Uda Walave (9th and 10th July)	Included
Food
Lunches during the course	Included
Breakfast and evening meals at Uda Walave	Included

Optional Post-Course Tours:

The following tours with overnight stay and jeep safaris can be arranged for individuals or groups based on prior requests: - Visit to Yala National Park (prime location for spotting leopards) - Visit to Bundala National Park (Ramsar Wetland, prime location for bird-watching)

Online Zoo Nutrition Course

Online Zoo Nutrition Course

Colorado State University offers Online Zoo Nutrition Course

Registration open until Friday, January 17, 2014

Course date Jan 21- May 9, 2014

Instructors

Nancy Irlbeck

(970) 491-6274 | Nancy.Irlbeck@colostate.edu

Nancy Irlbeck, Ph.D., is the Associate Dean of Academic Programs in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Colorado State University and serves as a nutrition consultant to the Denver Zoo.

Brett Kirch

(970) 491-6642 | brett.kirch@colostate.edu

Dr. Brett Kirch grew up on a small farm in the Nebraska Panhandle close to Lewellen, Nebraska. Brett received his B.S. in animal science from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and worked as an Extension aide in Garden County, Nebraska, during those years. He attended Kansas State University for an M.S. in ruminant nutrition where he was introduced to the forage-animal interface through his research project. Brett completed a Ph.D. at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in range and forage sciences working jointly between the agronomy and animal science departments in evaluating escape protein in grazed warm-season grasses. Following graduation, Brett took a position with Iowa State University as a regional extension beef specialist in west-central Iowa working in beef, sheep, and horse programming.

Brett’s career took a slight change in direction when he was accepted and graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University, with clinical equine rotations at the University of California-Davis.

Brett’s return to research was as a result of a unique post-doctoral position with USDA-ARS Forage-Animal Production Research Unit on the campus of the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky. His work in Kentucky allowed the unique opportunity to marry his interests in veterinary medicine, forages, and nutrition.

In 2008, Brett became the head of the Youth Livestock Extension program and research at Colorado State University. His research programs continue to look at the health, production, and nutritional aspects of the forage-animal interface.

Course Description

Monkey biscuits, bones, crickets, reptile salad–these are just a few culinary examples of dietary components enjoyed by captive wild animals in our zoos. Proper nutrition for these animals is vital for their physical health and general well-being. This course provides students with an introduction to the amazing animal kingdom, and imparts an awareness of our world’s unique animal species and their nutritional needs.

Zoological institutions–zoos–provide the general public with glimpses of exotic animal species known only from books, stories and the Internet. The animal residents of zoos are in a sense a living museum, and it is our responsibility to provide for their basic needs to the best of our ability.

Students taking Zoo Nutrition learn to strategize on how to feed animals by learning animal dietary classifications and gastrointestinal morphology. Based on a few fundamental principles, students develop an awareness of HOW and HOW NOT to feed many new animal species seen in the companion animal trade. Application of these fundamentals saves animal lives and creates a better living environment.

The course is geared toward zoo professionals; employees of rescue, rehabilitation and animal shelter organizations; and undergraduate students majoring in animal sciences, natural resources, biology, zoology and similar fields. Or if you are someone who is just interested in the course topic (and who has met the necessary prerequisite), you are invited to enroll and enjoy the course.

This course has print-based exams that require a proctor. A Proctor Identification Form will be required. ProctorU is not available for this course.

Prerequisites:  There are courses listed as prerequisites, but the course is open for enrollment for anyone (including those who have NOT completed prerequisites) interested in the topic.

To register for this course, click here

Asian Zoo Educators Conference 2013

Asian Zoo Educators Conference 2013

9th - 13th December

Marine World Umi no nakamichi

The theme of AZEC 2013 is “Educational Cooperation between Museums for Humanities and Sciences - A message of generating new life through new linkages -”. This conference will see a call for research papers focusing on the implementation of training programs, surveys, research and the like that takes up the theme of cooperation between museums dedicated to the humanities and natural science museums. The goal is for the many participants and facilities to cooperate by sharing information and ideas. Furthermore, with regards to zoos and aquariums lacking experience when it comes to this type of thing, the partner organization need not necessarily be a humanities-related museum; cooperation with schools, universities, private companies and citizen’s groups is also acceptable. Educational practices not having any relationship with this theme will also be accepted. We anticipate being flooded with applications. If there are many applications, presentations that are consistent with the conference theme will be given preference.

To Learn More

Click

HERE

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Effective Education Workshop

Effective Education Planning for Outside the Classroom Practitioners

A 2-Day Workshop hosted by Chester Zoo

 

Dates: 21/22 February 2013

Aim:

• To introduce an education planning process for’ Outside the Classroom’ presenters/educators
• To enable zoo staff to adopt a logical and strategic approach to session planning and resource use

Objectives

Participants will:

• Create and utilise a generic session planning framework
• Articulate intended learning outcomes for sessions
• Identify checks for learning and informal assessment
• Plan, deliver and evaluate a session (presentation/lesson) following a logical teaching and learning cycle
• Practice resource selection and use for different audiences
• Discuss similarities and difference between ‘presentations’ and ‘lessons’ 

Course Details

No of participants:                      20 maximum

Location:                                   Chester Zoo

Date:                                        21 and 22 Feb 2013

Timing:                                      Start 10.30hrs Thursday 21 Feb (with evening project work)

                                                Finish 16.00hrs Friday 22 Feb

Course Presenters:                    Terry Arthur, Highlands College, Jersey and Southampton University

Cost:                                        £120 per person including lunches and refreshments

 

Terry Arthur

Lead Tutor for Adult Education at Highlands College, Jersey ( currently responsible for the quality of  teaching of between 70 and 80 tutors each term) Training Consultant in Jersey mainly training Trainers and Teachers plus sessions on Quality Assurance: Mediation/ Conflict Resolution: Appraisal Training. Working for Local Government sectors plus the Private sector (currently doing CPD for the local Police Force Trainers)

Visiting Lecturer at University of Southampton on Adult Teacher Training Programmes for 25 years Career began as a teacher in Secondary schools with 3 years in Primary Schools I have also worked in Jamaica; USA; and Australia.

 

“I believe that it is essential for the theory to be put into practise i.e., each person delivering a session to their colleagues and the theory will include plenty of interactive group work.”

 

Contact: k.brankin@chesterzoo.org to register.