INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3151, 1, '2013-10-15 13:30:37', '2013-10-15 18:30:37', '[col w="6"]<h4><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1132" title="pdc_color_logo" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pdc_color_logo-155x300.jpg" alt="pdc_color_logo" width="155" height="300" /></h4>[/col]\r\n[col w="6"]<h3>Chair</h3>\r\n<img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-2550" title="melaina3" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/melaina3-150x150.jpg" alt="melaina3" width="150" height="150" /> Melaina Wallace - <em>Disney\'s Animal Kingdom</em>[/col]\r\n<h3>Purpose</h3>\r\nThe Professional Development Committee\'s Mission is to provide continual resources for professional growth through leadership and educational opportunities for all National AAZK members.\r\n\r\n<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1814" title="pass_workshop" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pass_workshop-225x300.jpg" alt="pass_workshop" width="225" height="300" />\r\n\r\nThe Passerine Husbandry Workshop  taught by Dr. Robert Webster from the Toledo Zoo, sponsored by Marion Zoological, Mazuri, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.   This  a 6-hour workshop that focuses on allowing keepers being able to share their own personal or their own facilities advancements in the care of these small birds.   PDF\'s of this workshop can be found in the <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/members/login.php">Member\'s Only</a> section of the website.\r\n\r\n<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1815" title="robert_webster" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/robert_webster-300x225.jpg" alt="robert_webster" width="300" height="225" />\r\n\r\n<em>Dr. Robert Webster giving one of many bird husbandry talks</em>\r\n\r\nThe Rotating Exhibit Workshop hosted by keepers from the Denver Zoo, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Philadelphia Zoo, and Point Defiance Zoo.   This type of animal exhibitry is starting to become a new direction and method of revitalizing old exhibits while staying in existing footprints and addressing the ever rising expectations of animal welfare and behavioral husbandry.  This two hour workshop focuses on the daily opportunities and challenges associated with this type of exhibit with emphasis on enrichment, safety, guest experience, along with the flexibility, freedom, and limitations that one might face if considering a change in this style of animal exhibitry. PDF\'s of this workshop can be found in the <a href="../members/login.php">Member\'s Only</a> section of the website\r\n\r\n<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1816" title="predator_ridge" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/predator_ridge-300x225.jpg" alt="predator_ridge" width="300" height="225" />\r\n\r\n<em>Andrew Rowan and Mike Murray talk about their rotating exhibit Predator Ridge</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>The Future</strong>\r\n\r\nThe main focus of the Professional Development Committee is to concentrate on continuing education and  professional development for animal keepers,  increasing their role in the future of the AAZK.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>Professional Development Committee Members</strong></em>\r\n\r\n  \r\n<h3>Bob Cisneros - AAZK President</h3>\r\n<h3>Board Oversight</h3>\r\n<h3>San Diego Zoo</h3>\r\n \r\n<h3>Melaina Wallace - Co-chair</h3>\r\n<h3>Disney\'s Animal Kingdom</h3>\r\n \r\n<h3>Ellen Vossekull - Co-Chair</h3>\r\n<h3>Utah\'s Hogle Zoo</h3>\r\n \r\n<div><strong>Victor Alm</strong></div>\r\n Oakland Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Leanne Blinco</strong></div>\r\n Disney\'s Animal Kingdom\r\n<div><strong>Mike Murray</strong></div>\r\n Denver Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Aaron Jesue</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>North Carolina Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Eunice Hui</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>CuriOdyssey\r\n<div><strong>Dawn Sohr</strong></div>\r\n Brookfield Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Andrew Rowan</strong></div>\r\n Denver Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Anthony Nielsen</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Lincoln Park Zoo\r\n<div><strong>T\'noya Thopmson Gonzales</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Moody Gardens\r\n<div><strong>Chris Mooney</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>San Diego Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Sasha Stallard</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>San Diego Zoo\'s Safari Park\r\n<div><strong>Janee Thill</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Sequoia Park Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Emily Merola</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Utah\'s Hogle Zoo', 'Professional Development Committee', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '178-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 13:30:37', '2013-10-15 18:30:37', '', 178, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/178-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3156, 1, '2013-10-15 13:37:05', '2013-10-15 18:37:05', '[col w="6"]\r\n<h3>Chair</h3>\r\n[caption id="attachment_2550" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-full wp-image-2550" alt=" Melaina Wallace - Disney\'s Animal Kingdom" src="http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/wp-content/uploads/melaina3.jpg" width="150" height="159" /> Melaina Wallace - <em>Disney\'s Animal Kingdom</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[/col][col w="6"]<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1132" title="pdc_color_logo" alt="pdc_color_logo" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pdc_color_logo-155x300.jpg" width="155" height="300" />[/col]\r\n<h3>Purpose</h3>\r\nThe Professional Development Committee\'s Mission is to provide continual resources for professional growth through leadership and educational opportunities for all National AAZK members.\r\n\r\n<img class=" wp-image-1814 alignright" title="pass_workshop" alt="pass_workshop" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pass_workshop-225x300.jpg" width="225" height="300" />\r\n\r\nThe Passerine Husbandry Workshop  taught by Dr. Robert Webster from the Toledo Zoo, sponsored by Marion Zoological, Mazuri, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.   This  a 6-hour workshop that focuses on allowing keepers being able to share their own personal or their own facilities advancements in the care of these small birds.   PDF\'s of this workshop can be found in the <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/members/login.php">Member\'s Only</a> section of the website.\r\n\r\n<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1815" title="robert_webster" alt="robert_webster" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/robert_webster-300x225.jpg" width="300" height="225" />\r\n\r\n<em>Dr. Robert Webster giving one of many bird husbandry talks</em>\r\n\r\nThe Rotating Exhibit Workshop hosted by keepers from the Denver Zoo, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Philadelphia Zoo, and Point Defiance Zoo.   This type of animal exhibitry is starting to become a new direction and method of revitalizing old exhibits while staying in existing footprints and addressing the ever rising expectations of animal welfare and behavioral husbandry.  This two hour workshop focuses on the daily opportunities and challenges associated with this type of exhibit with emphasis on enrichment, safety, guest experience, along with the flexibility, freedom, and limitations that one might face if considering a change in this style of animal exhibitry. PDF\'s of this workshop can be found in the <a href="../members/login.php">Member\'s Only</a> section of the website\r\n\r\n<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1816" title="predator_ridge" alt="predator_ridge" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/predator_ridge-300x225.jpg" width="300" height="225" />\r\n\r\n<em>Andrew Rowan and Mike Murray talk about their rotating exhibit Predator Ridge</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>The Future</strong>\r\n\r\nThe main focus of the Professional Development Committee is to concentrate on continuing education and  professional development for animal keepers,  increasing their role in the future of the AAZK.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>Professional Development Committee Members</strong></em>\r\n<h3>Bob Cisneros - AAZK President</h3>\r\n<h3>Board Oversight</h3>\r\n<h3>San Diego Zoo</h3>\r\n<h3>Melaina Wallace - Co-chair</h3>\r\n<h3>Disney\'s Animal Kingdom</h3>\r\n<h3>Ellen Vossekull - Co-Chair</h3>\r\n<h3>Utah\'s Hogle Zoo</h3>\r\n<div><strong>Victor Alm</strong></div>\r\nOakland Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Leanne Blinco</strong></div>\r\nDisney\'s Animal Kingdom\r\n<div><strong>Mike Murray</strong></div>\r\nDenver Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Aaron Jesue</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>North Carolina Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Eunice Hui</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>CuriOdyssey\r\n<div><strong>Dawn Sohr</strong></div>\r\nBrookfield Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Andrew Rowan</strong></div>\r\nDenver Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Anthony Nielsen</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Lincoln Park Zoo\r\n<div><strong>T\'noya Thopmson Gonzales</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Moody Gardens\r\n<div><strong>Chris Mooney</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>San Diego Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Sasha Stallard</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>San Diego Zoo\'s Safari Park\r\n<div><strong>Janee Thill</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Sequoia Park Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Emily Merola</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Utah\'s Hogle Zoo', 'Professional Development Committee', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '178-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 13:37:05', '2013-10-15 18:37:05', '', 178, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/178-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3152, 1, '2013-10-15 13:34:20', '2013-10-15 18:34:20', '[col w="6"]<h4><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1132" title="pdc_color_logo" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pdc_color_logo-155x300.jpg" alt="pdc_color_logo" width="155" height="300" /></h4>[/col]\r\n[col w="6"]<h3>Chair</h3>\r\n[caption id="attachment_2550" align="alignright" width="150"]<img src="http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/wp-content/uploads/melaina3.jpg" alt=" Melaina Wallace - Disney&#039;s Animal Kingdom" width="150" height="159" class="size-full wp-image-2550" />  Melaina Wallace - <em>Disney\'s Animal Kingdom</em>[/caption][/col]\r\n<h3>Purpose</h3>\r\nThe Professional Development Committee\'s Mission is to provide continual resources for professional growth through leadership and educational opportunities for all National AAZK members.\r\n\r\n<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1814" title="pass_workshop" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pass_workshop-225x300.jpg" alt="pass_workshop" width="225" height="300" />\r\n\r\nThe Passerine Husbandry Workshop  taught by Dr. Robert Webster from the Toledo Zoo, sponsored by Marion Zoological, Mazuri, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.   This  a 6-hour workshop that focuses on allowing keepers being able to share their own personal or their own facilities advancements in the care of these small birds.   PDF\'s of this workshop can be found in the <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/members/login.php">Member\'s Only</a> section of the website.\r\n\r\n<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1815" title="robert_webster" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/robert_webster-300x225.jpg" alt="robert_webster" width="300" height="225" />\r\n\r\n<em>Dr. Robert Webster giving one of many bird husbandry talks</em>\r\n\r\nThe Rotating Exhibit Workshop hosted by keepers from the Denver Zoo, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Philadelphia Zoo, and Point Defiance Zoo.   This type of animal exhibitry is starting to become a new direction and method of revitalizing old exhibits while staying in existing footprints and addressing the ever rising expectations of animal welfare and behavioral husbandry.  This two hour workshop focuses on the daily opportunities and challenges associated with this type of exhibit with emphasis on enrichment, safety, guest experience, along with the flexibility, freedom, and limitations that one might face if considering a change in this style of animal exhibitry. PDF\'s of this workshop can be found in the <a href="../members/login.php">Member\'s Only</a> section of the website\r\n\r\n<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1816" title="predator_ridge" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/predator_ridge-300x225.jpg" alt="predator_ridge" width="300" height="225" />\r\n\r\n<em>Andrew Rowan and Mike Murray talk about their rotating exhibit Predator Ridge</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>The Future</strong>\r\n\r\nThe main focus of the Professional Development Committee is to concentrate on continuing education and  professional development for animal keepers,  increasing their role in the future of the AAZK.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>Professional Development Committee Members</strong></em>\r\n\r\n  \r\n<h3>Bob Cisneros - AAZK President</h3>\r\n<h3>Board Oversight</h3>\r\n<h3>San Diego Zoo</h3>\r\n \r\n<h3>Melaina Wallace - Co-chair</h3>\r\n<h3>Disney\'s Animal Kingdom</h3>\r\n \r\n<h3>Ellen Vossekull - Co-Chair</h3>\r\n<h3>Utah\'s Hogle Zoo</h3>\r\n \r\n<div><strong>Victor Alm</strong></div>\r\n Oakland Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Leanne Blinco</strong></div>\r\n Disney\'s Animal Kingdom\r\n<div><strong>Mike Murray</strong></div>\r\n Denver Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Aaron Jesue</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>North Carolina Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Eunice Hui</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>CuriOdyssey\r\n<div><strong>Dawn Sohr</strong></div>\r\n Brookfield Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Andrew Rowan</strong></div>\r\n Denver Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Anthony Nielsen</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Lincoln Park Zoo\r\n<div><strong>T\'noya Thopmson Gonzales</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Moody Gardens\r\n<div><strong>Chris Mooney</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>San Diego Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Sasha Stallard</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>San Diego Zoo\'s Safari Park\r\n<div><strong>Janee Thill</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Sequoia Park Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Emily Merola</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Utah\'s Hogle Zoo', 'Professional Development Committee', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '178-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 13:34:20', '2013-10-15 18:34:20', '', 178, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/178-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3153, 1, '2013-10-15 13:34:49', '2013-10-15 18:34:49', '[col w="6"]<h4><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1132" title="pdc_color_logo" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pdc_color_logo-155x300.jpg" alt="pdc_color_logo" width="155" height="300" /></h4>[/col]\r\n[col w="6"]<h3>Chair</h3>\r\n[caption id="attachment_2550" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img src="http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/wp-content/uploads/melaina3.jpg" alt=" Melaina Wallace - Disney&#039;s Animal Kingdom" width="150" height="159" class="size-full wp-image-2550" />  Melaina Wallace - <em>Disney\'s Animal Kingdom</em>[/caption][/col]\r\n<h3>Purpose</h3>\r\nThe Professional Development Committee\'s Mission is to provide continual resources for professional growth through leadership and educational opportunities for all National AAZK members.\r\n\r\n<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1814" title="pass_workshop" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pass_workshop-225x300.jpg" alt="pass_workshop" width="225" height="300" />\r\n\r\nThe Passerine Husbandry Workshop  taught by Dr. Robert Webster from the Toledo Zoo, sponsored by Marion Zoological, Mazuri, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.   This  a 6-hour workshop that focuses on allowing keepers being able to share their own personal or their own facilities advancements in the care of these small birds.   PDF\'s of this workshop can be found in the <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/members/login.php">Member\'s Only</a> section of the website.\r\n\r\n<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1815" title="robert_webster" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/robert_webster-300x225.jpg" alt="robert_webster" width="300" height="225" />\r\n\r\n<em>Dr. Robert Webster giving one of many bird husbandry talks</em>\r\n\r\nThe Rotating Exhibit Workshop hosted by keepers from the Denver Zoo, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Philadelphia Zoo, and Point Defiance Zoo.   This type of animal exhibitry is starting to become a new direction and method of revitalizing old exhibits while staying in existing footprints and addressing the ever rising expectations of animal welfare and behavioral husbandry.  This two hour workshop focuses on the daily opportunities and challenges associated with this type of exhibit with emphasis on enrichment, safety, guest experience, along with the flexibility, freedom, and limitations that one might face if considering a change in this style of animal exhibitry. PDF\'s of this workshop can be found in the <a href="../members/login.php">Member\'s Only</a> section of the website\r\n\r\n<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1816" title="predator_ridge" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/predator_ridge-300x225.jpg" alt="predator_ridge" width="300" height="225" />\r\n\r\n<em>Andrew Rowan and Mike Murray talk about their rotating exhibit Predator Ridge</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>The Future</strong>\r\n\r\nThe main focus of the Professional Development Committee is to concentrate on continuing education and  professional development for animal keepers,  increasing their role in the future of the AAZK.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>Professional Development Committee Members</strong></em>\r\n\r\n  \r\n<h3>Bob Cisneros - AAZK President</h3>\r\n<h3>Board Oversight</h3>\r\n<h3>San Diego Zoo</h3>\r\n \r\n<h3>Melaina Wallace - Co-chair</h3>\r\n<h3>Disney\'s Animal Kingdom</h3>\r\n \r\n<h3>Ellen Vossekull - Co-Chair</h3>\r\n<h3>Utah\'s Hogle Zoo</h3>\r\n \r\n<div><strong>Victor Alm</strong></div>\r\n Oakland Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Leanne Blinco</strong></div>\r\n Disney\'s Animal Kingdom\r\n<div><strong>Mike Murray</strong></div>\r\n Denver Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Aaron Jesue</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>North Carolina Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Eunice Hui</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>CuriOdyssey\r\n<div><strong>Dawn Sohr</strong></div>\r\n Brookfield Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Andrew Rowan</strong></div>\r\n Denver Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Anthony Nielsen</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Lincoln Park Zoo\r\n<div><strong>T\'noya Thopmson Gonzales</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Moody Gardens\r\n<div><strong>Chris Mooney</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>San Diego Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Sasha Stallard</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>San Diego Zoo\'s Safari Park\r\n<div><strong>Janee Thill</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Sequoia Park Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Emily Merola</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Utah\'s Hogle Zoo', 'Professional Development Committee', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '178-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 13:34:49', '2013-10-15 18:34:49', '', 178, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/178-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3154, 1, '2013-10-15 13:35:24', '2013-10-15 18:35:24', '[col w="6"]<h3>Chair</h3>\r\n[caption id="attachment_2550" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img src="http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/wp-content/uploads/melaina3.jpg" alt=" Melaina Wallace - Disney&#039;s Animal Kingdom" width="150" height="159" class="size-full wp-image-2550" />  Melaina Wallace - <em>Disney\'s Animal Kingdom</em>[/caption][/col][col w="6"]<h4><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1132" title="pdc_color_logo" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pdc_color_logo-155x300.jpg" alt="pdc_color_logo" width="155" height="300" /></h4>[/col]\r\n<h3>Purpose</h3>\r\nThe Professional Development Committee\'s Mission is to provide continual resources for professional growth through leadership and educational opportunities for all National AAZK members.\r\n\r\n<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1814" title="pass_workshop" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pass_workshop-225x300.jpg" alt="pass_workshop" width="225" height="300" />\r\n\r\nThe Passerine Husbandry Workshop  taught by Dr. Robert Webster from the Toledo Zoo, sponsored by Marion Zoological, Mazuri, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.   This  a 6-hour workshop that focuses on allowing keepers being able to share their own personal or their own facilities advancements in the care of these small birds.   PDF\'s of this workshop can be found in the <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/members/login.php">Member\'s Only</a> section of the website.\r\n\r\n<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1815" title="robert_webster" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/robert_webster-300x225.jpg" alt="robert_webster" width="300" height="225" />\r\n\r\n<em>Dr. Robert Webster giving one of many bird husbandry talks</em>\r\n\r\nThe Rotating Exhibit Workshop hosted by keepers from the Denver Zoo, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Philadelphia Zoo, and Point Defiance Zoo.   This type of animal exhibitry is starting to become a new direction and method of revitalizing old exhibits while staying in existing footprints and addressing the ever rising expectations of animal welfare and behavioral husbandry.  This two hour workshop focuses on the daily opportunities and challenges associated with this type of exhibit with emphasis on enrichment, safety, guest experience, along with the flexibility, freedom, and limitations that one might face if considering a change in this style of animal exhibitry. PDF\'s of this workshop can be found in the <a href="../members/login.php">Member\'s Only</a> section of the website\r\n\r\n<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1816" title="predator_ridge" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/predator_ridge-300x225.jpg" alt="predator_ridge" width="300" height="225" />\r\n\r\n<em>Andrew Rowan and Mike Murray talk about their rotating exhibit Predator Ridge</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>The Future</strong>\r\n\r\nThe main focus of the Professional Development Committee is to concentrate on continuing education and  professional development for animal keepers,  increasing their role in the future of the AAZK.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>Professional Development Committee Members</strong></em>\r\n\r\n  \r\n<h3>Bob Cisneros - AAZK President</h3>\r\n<h3>Board Oversight</h3>\r\n<h3>San Diego Zoo</h3>\r\n \r\n<h3>Melaina Wallace - Co-chair</h3>\r\n<h3>Disney\'s Animal Kingdom</h3>\r\n \r\n<h3>Ellen Vossekull - Co-Chair</h3>\r\n<h3>Utah\'s Hogle Zoo</h3>\r\n \r\n<div><strong>Victor Alm</strong></div>\r\n Oakland Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Leanne Blinco</strong></div>\r\n Disney\'s Animal Kingdom\r\n<div><strong>Mike Murray</strong></div>\r\n Denver Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Aaron Jesue</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>North Carolina Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Eunice Hui</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>CuriOdyssey\r\n<div><strong>Dawn Sohr</strong></div>\r\n Brookfield Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Andrew Rowan</strong></div>\r\n Denver Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Anthony Nielsen</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Lincoln Park Zoo\r\n<div><strong>T\'noya Thopmson Gonzales</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Moody Gardens\r\n<div><strong>Chris Mooney</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>San Diego Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Sasha Stallard</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>San Diego Zoo\'s Safari Park\r\n<div><strong>Janee Thill</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Sequoia Park Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Emily Merola</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Utah\'s Hogle Zoo', 'Professional Development Committee', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '178-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 13:35:24', '2013-10-15 18:35:24', '', 178, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/178-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3155, 1, '2013-10-15 13:36:22', '2013-10-15 18:36:22', '[col w="6"]<h3>Chair</h3>[caption id="attachment_2550" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img src="http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/wp-content/uploads/melaina3.jpg" alt=" Melaina Wallace - Disney&#039;s Animal Kingdom" width="150" height="159" class="size-full wp-image-2550" />  Melaina Wallace - <em>Disney\'s Animal Kingdom</em>[/caption][/col][col w="6"]<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1132" title="pdc_color_logo" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pdc_color_logo-155x300.jpg" alt="pdc_color_logo" width="155" height="300" />[/col]<h3>Purpose</h3>\r\nThe Professional Development Committee\'s Mission is to provide continual resources for professional growth through leadership and educational opportunities for all National AAZK members.\r\n\r\n<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1814" title="pass_workshop" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pass_workshop-225x300.jpg" alt="pass_workshop" width="225" height="300" />\r\n\r\nThe Passerine Husbandry Workshop  taught by Dr. Robert Webster from the Toledo Zoo, sponsored by Marion Zoological, Mazuri, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.   This  a 6-hour workshop that focuses on allowing keepers being able to share their own personal or their own facilities advancements in the care of these small birds.   PDF\'s of this workshop can be found in the <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/members/login.php">Member\'s Only</a> section of the website.\r\n\r\n<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1815" title="robert_webster" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/robert_webster-300x225.jpg" alt="robert_webster" width="300" height="225" />\r\n\r\n<em>Dr. Robert Webster giving one of many bird husbandry talks</em>\r\n\r\nThe Rotating Exhibit Workshop hosted by keepers from the Denver Zoo, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Philadelphia Zoo, and Point Defiance Zoo.   This type of animal exhibitry is starting to become a new direction and method of revitalizing old exhibits while staying in existing footprints and addressing the ever rising expectations of animal welfare and behavioral husbandry.  This two hour workshop focuses on the daily opportunities and challenges associated with this type of exhibit with emphasis on enrichment, safety, guest experience, along with the flexibility, freedom, and limitations that one might face if considering a change in this style of animal exhibitry. PDF\'s of this workshop can be found in the <a href="../members/login.php">Member\'s Only</a> section of the website\r\n\r\n<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1816" title="predator_ridge" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/predator_ridge-300x225.jpg" alt="predator_ridge" width="300" height="225" />\r\n\r\n<em>Andrew Rowan and Mike Murray talk about their rotating exhibit Predator Ridge</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>The Future</strong>\r\n\r\nThe main focus of the Professional Development Committee is to concentrate on continuing education and  professional development for animal keepers,  increasing their role in the future of the AAZK.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>Professional Development Committee Members</strong></em>\r\n\r\n  \r\n<h3>Bob Cisneros - AAZK President</h3>\r\n<h3>Board Oversight</h3>\r\n<h3>San Diego Zoo</h3>\r\n \r\n<h3>Melaina Wallace - Co-chair</h3>\r\n<h3>Disney\'s Animal Kingdom</h3>\r\n \r\n<h3>Ellen Vossekull - Co-Chair</h3>\r\n<h3>Utah\'s Hogle Zoo</h3>\r\n \r\n<div><strong>Victor Alm</strong></div>\r\n Oakland Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Leanne Blinco</strong></div>\r\n Disney\'s Animal Kingdom\r\n<div><strong>Mike Murray</strong></div>\r\n Denver Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Aaron Jesue</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>North Carolina Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Eunice Hui</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>CuriOdyssey\r\n<div><strong>Dawn Sohr</strong></div>\r\n Brookfield Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Andrew Rowan</strong></div>\r\n Denver Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Anthony Nielsen</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Lincoln Park Zoo\r\n<div><strong>T\'noya Thopmson Gonzales</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Moody Gardens\r\n<div><strong>Chris Mooney</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>San Diego Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Sasha Stallard</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>San Diego Zoo\'s Safari Park\r\n<div><strong>Janee Thill</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Sequoia Park Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Emily Merola</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Utah\'s Hogle Zoo', 'Professional Development Committee', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '178-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 13:36:22', '2013-10-15 18:36:22', '', 178, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/178-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3157, 1, '2013-10-15 13:40:27', '2013-10-15 18:40:27', '[col w="6"]\r\n<h3>Chair</h3>\r\n[caption id="attachment_2550" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-full wp-image-2550" alt=" Melaina Wallace - Disney\'s Animal Kingdom" src="http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/wp-content/uploads/melaina3.jpg" width="150" height="159" /> Melaina Wallace - <em>Disney\'s Animal Kingdom</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[/col][col w="6"]<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1132" title="pdc_color_logo" alt="pdc_color_logo" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pdc_color_logo-155x300.jpg" width="155" height="300" />[/col]\r\n<h3>Purpose</h3>\r\n<img class=" wp-image-1814 alignright" title="pass_workshop" alt="pass_workshop" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pass_workshop-225x300.jpg" width="225" height="300" />\r\nThe Professional Development Committee\'s Mission is to provide continual resources for professional growth through leadership and educational opportunities for all National AAZK members.\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Passerine Husbandry Workshop  taught by Dr. Robert Webster from the Toledo Zoo, sponsored by Marion Zoological, Mazuri, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.   This  a 6-hour workshop that focuses on allowing keepers being able to share their own personal or their own facilities advancements in the care of these small birds.   PDF\'s of this workshop can be found in the <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/members/login.php">Member\'s Only</a> section of the website.\r\n\r\n<img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1815" title="robert_webster" alt="robert_webster" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/robert_webster-300x225.jpg" width="300" height="225" />\r\n\r\n<em>Dr. Robert Webster giving one of many bird husbandry talks</em>\r\n\r\nThe Rotating Exhibit Workshop hosted by keepers from the Denver Zoo, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Philadelphia Zoo, and Point Defiance Zoo.   This type of animal exhibitry is starting to become a new direction and method of revitalizing old exhibits while staying in existing footprints and addressing the ever rising expectations of animal welfare and behavioral husbandry.  This two hour workshop focuses on the daily opportunities and challenges associated with this type of exhibit with emphasis on enrichment, safety, guest experience, along with the flexibility, freedom, and limitations that one might face if considering a change in this style of animal exhibitry. PDF\'s of this workshop can be found in the <a href="../members/login.php">Member\'s Only</a> section of the website\r\n\r\n<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1816" title="predator_ridge" alt="predator_ridge" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/predator_ridge-300x225.jpg" width="300" height="225" />\r\n\r\n<em>Andrew Rowan and Mike Murray talk about their rotating exhibit Predator Ridge</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>The Future</strong>\r\n\r\nThe main focus of the Professional Development Committee is to concentrate on continuing education and  professional development for animal keepers,  increasing their role in the future of the AAZK.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>Professional Development Committee Members</strong></em>\r\n<h3>Bob Cisneros - AAZK President</h3>\r\n<h3>Board Oversight</h3>\r\n<h3>San Diego Zoo</h3>\r\n<h3>Melaina Wallace - Co-chair</h3>\r\n<h3>Disney\'s Animal Kingdom</h3>\r\n<h3>Ellen Vossekull - Co-Chair</h3>\r\n<h3>Utah\'s Hogle Zoo</h3>\r\n<div><strong>Victor Alm</strong></div>\r\nOakland Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Leanne Blinco</strong></div>\r\nDisney\'s Animal Kingdom\r\n<div><strong>Mike Murray</strong></div>\r\nDenver Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Aaron Jesue</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>North Carolina Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Eunice Hui</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>CuriOdyssey\r\n<div><strong>Dawn Sohr</strong></div>\r\nBrookfield Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Andrew Rowan</strong></div>\r\nDenver Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Anthony Nielsen</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Lincoln Park Zoo\r\n<div><strong>T\'noya Thopmson Gonzales</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Moody Gardens\r\n<div><strong>Chris Mooney</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>San Diego Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Sasha Stallard</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>San Diego Zoo\'s Safari Park\r\n<div><strong>Janee Thill</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Sequoia Park Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Emily Merola</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Utah\'s Hogle Zoo', 'Professional Development Committee', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '178-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 13:40:27', '2013-10-15 18:40:27', '', 178, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/178-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3158, 1, '2013-10-15 13:41:14', '2013-10-15 18:41:14', '[col w="6"]\r\n<h3>Chair</h3>\r\n[caption id="attachment_2550" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-full wp-image-2550" alt=" Melaina Wallace - Disney\'s Animal Kingdom" src="http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/wp-content/uploads/melaina3.jpg" width="150" height="159" /> Melaina Wallace - <em>Disney\'s Animal Kingdom</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[/col][col w="6"]<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1132" title="pdc_color_logo" alt="pdc_color_logo" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pdc_color_logo-155x300.jpg" width="155" height="300" />[/col]\r\n<h3>Purpose</h3>\r\n<img class=" wp-image-1814 alignright" title="pass_workshop" alt="pass_workshop" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pass_workshop-225x300.jpg" width="225" height="300" />\r\nThe Professional Development Committee\'s Mission is to provide continual resources for professional growth through leadership and educational opportunities for all National AAZK members.\r\n\r\nThe Passerine Husbandry Workshop  taught by Dr. Robert Webster from the Toledo Zoo, sponsored by Marion Zoological, Mazuri, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.   This  a 6-hour workshop that focuses on allowing keepers being able to share their own personal or their own facilities advancements in the care of these small birds.   PDF\'s of this workshop can be found in the <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/members/login.php">Member\'s Only</a> section of the website.\r\n[wp-caption]<img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1815" title="robert_webster" alt="robert_webster" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/robert_webster-300x225.jpg" width="300" height="225" />Dr. Robert Webster giving one of many bird husbandry talks[/wp-caption]\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Rotating Exhibit Workshop hosted by keepers from the Denver Zoo, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Philadelphia Zoo, and Point Defiance Zoo.   This type of animal exhibitry is starting to become a new direction and method of revitalizing old exhibits while staying in existing footprints and addressing the ever rising expectations of animal welfare and behavioral husbandry.  This two hour workshop focuses on the daily opportunities and challenges associated with this type of exhibit with emphasis on enrichment, safety, guest experience, along with the flexibility, freedom, and limitations that one might face if considering a change in this style of animal exhibitry. PDF\'s of this workshop can be found in the <a href="../members/login.php">Member\'s Only</a> section of the website\r\n\r\n<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1816" title="predator_ridge" alt="predator_ridge" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/predator_ridge-300x225.jpg" width="300" height="225" />\r\n\r\n<em>Andrew Rowan and Mike Murray talk about their rotating exhibit Predator Ridge</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>The Future</strong>\r\n\r\nThe main focus of the Professional Development Committee is to concentrate on continuing education and  professional development for animal keepers,  increasing their role in the future of the AAZK.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>Professional Development Committee Members</strong></em>\r\n<h3>Bob Cisneros - AAZK President</h3>\r\n<h3>Board Oversight</h3>\r\n<h3>San Diego Zoo</h3>\r\n<h3>Melaina Wallace - Co-chair</h3>\r\n<h3>Disney\'s Animal Kingdom</h3>\r\n<h3>Ellen Vossekull - Co-Chair</h3>\r\n<h3>Utah\'s Hogle Zoo</h3>\r\n<div><strong>Victor Alm</strong></div>\r\nOakland Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Leanne Blinco</strong></div>\r\nDisney\'s Animal Kingdom\r\n<div><strong>Mike Murray</strong></div>\r\nDenver Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Aaron Jesue</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>North Carolina Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Eunice Hui</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>CuriOdyssey\r\n<div><strong>Dawn Sohr</strong></div>\r\nBrookfield Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Andrew Rowan</strong></div>\r\nDenver Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Anthony Nielsen</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Lincoln Park Zoo\r\n<div><strong>T\'noya Thopmson Gonzales</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Moody Gardens\r\n<div><strong>Chris Mooney</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>San Diego Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Sasha Stallard</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>San Diego Zoo\'s Safari Park\r\n<div><strong>Janee Thill</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Sequoia Park Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Emily Merola</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Utah\'s Hogle Zoo', 'Professional Development Committee', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '178-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 13:41:14', '2013-10-15 18:41:14', '', 178, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/178-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3159, 1, '2013-10-15 13:41:43', '2013-10-15 18:41:43', '[col w="6"]\r\n<h3>Chair</h3>\r\n[caption id="attachment_2550" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-full wp-image-2550" alt=" Melaina Wallace - Disney\'s Animal Kingdom" src="http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/wp-content/uploads/melaina3.jpg" width="150" height="159" /> Melaina Wallace - <em>Disney\'s Animal Kingdom</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[/col][col w="6"]<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1132" title="pdc_color_logo" alt="pdc_color_logo" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pdc_color_logo-155x300.jpg" width="155" height="300" />[/col]\r\n<h3>Purpose</h3>\r\n<img class=" wp-image-1814 alignright" title="pass_workshop" alt="pass_workshop" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pass_workshop-225x300.jpg" width="225" height="300" />\r\nThe Professional Development Committee\'s Mission is to provide continual resources for professional growth through leadership and educational opportunities for all National AAZK members.\r\n\r\nThe Passerine Husbandry Workshop  taught by Dr. Robert Webster from the Toledo Zoo, sponsored by Marion Zoological, Mazuri, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.   This  a 6-hour workshop that focuses on allowing keepers being able to share their own personal or their own facilities advancements in the care of these small birds.   PDF\'s of this workshop can be found in the <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/members/login.php">Member\'s Only</a> section of the website.\r\n[caption]<img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1815" title="robert_webster" alt="robert_webster" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/robert_webster-300x225.jpg" width="300" height="225" />Dr. Robert Webster giving one of many bird husbandry talks[caption]\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Rotating Exhibit Workshop hosted by keepers from the Denver Zoo, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Philadelphia Zoo, and Point Defiance Zoo.   This type of animal exhibitry is starting to become a new direction and method of revitalizing old exhibits while staying in existing footprints and addressing the ever rising expectations of animal welfare and behavioral husbandry.  This two hour workshop focuses on the daily opportunities and challenges associated with this type of exhibit with emphasis on enrichment, safety, guest experience, along with the flexibility, freedom, and limitations that one might face if considering a change in this style of animal exhibitry. PDF\'s of this workshop can be found in the <a href="../members/login.php">Member\'s Only</a> section of the website\r\n\r\n<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1816" title="predator_ridge" alt="predator_ridge" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/predator_ridge-300x225.jpg" width="300" height="225" />\r\n\r\n<em>Andrew Rowan and Mike Murray talk about their rotating exhibit Predator Ridge</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>The Future</strong>\r\n\r\nThe main focus of the Professional Development Committee is to concentrate on continuing education and  professional development for animal keepers,  increasing their role in the future of the AAZK.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>Professional Development Committee Members</strong></em>\r\n<h3>Bob Cisneros - AAZK President</h3>\r\n<h3>Board Oversight</h3>\r\n<h3>San Diego Zoo</h3>\r\n<h3>Melaina Wallace - Co-chair</h3>\r\n<h3>Disney\'s Animal Kingdom</h3>\r\n<h3>Ellen Vossekull - Co-Chair</h3>\r\n<h3>Utah\'s Hogle Zoo</h3>\r\n<div><strong>Victor Alm</strong></div>\r\nOakland Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Leanne Blinco</strong></div>\r\nDisney\'s Animal Kingdom\r\n<div><strong>Mike Murray</strong></div>\r\nDenver Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Aaron Jesue</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>North Carolina Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Eunice Hui</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>CuriOdyssey\r\n<div><strong>Dawn Sohr</strong></div>\r\nBrookfield Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Andrew Rowan</strong></div>\r\nDenver Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Anthony Nielsen</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Lincoln Park Zoo\r\n<div><strong>T\'noya Thopmson Gonzales</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Moody Gardens\r\n<div><strong>Chris Mooney</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>San Diego Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Sasha Stallard</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>San Diego Zoo\'s Safari Park\r\n<div><strong>Janee Thill</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Sequoia Park Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Emily Merola</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Utah\'s Hogle Zoo', 'Professional Development Committee', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '178-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 13:41:43', '2013-10-15 18:41:43', '', 178, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/178-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3160, 1, '2013-10-15 13:42:36', '2013-10-15 18:42:36', '[col w="6"]\r\n<h3>Chair</h3>\r\n[caption id="attachment_2550" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-full wp-image-2550" alt=" Melaina Wallace - Disney\'s Animal Kingdom" src="http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/wp-content/uploads/melaina3.jpg" width="150" height="159" /> Melaina Wallace - <em>Disney\'s Animal Kingdom</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[/col][col w="6"]<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1132" title="pdc_color_logo" alt="pdc_color_logo" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pdc_color_logo-155x300.jpg" width="155" height="300" />[/col]\r\n<h3>Purpose</h3>\r\n<img class=" wp-image-1814 alignright" title="pass_workshop" alt="pass_workshop" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pass_workshop-225x300.jpg" width="225" height="300" />\r\nThe Professional Development Committee\'s Mission is to provide continual resources for professional growth through leadership and educational opportunities for all National AAZK members.\r\n\r\nThe Passerine Husbandry Workshop  taught by Dr. Robert Webster from the Toledo Zoo, sponsored by Marion Zoological, Mazuri, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.   This  a 6-hour workshop that focuses on allowing keepers being able to share their own personal or their own facilities advancements in the care of these small birds.   PDF\'s of this workshop can be found in the <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/members/login.php">Member\'s Only</a> section of the website.\r\n[caption id="attachment_1815" align="aligncenter" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-1815" title="robert_webster" alt="robert_webster" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/robert_webster-300x225.jpg" width="300" height="225" />Dr. Robert Webster giving one of many bird husbandry talks[caption]\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Rotating Exhibit Workshop hosted by keepers from the Denver Zoo, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Philadelphia Zoo, and Point Defiance Zoo.   This type of animal exhibitry is starting to become a new direction and method of revitalizing old exhibits while staying in existing footprints and addressing the ever rising expectations of animal welfare and behavioral husbandry.  This two hour workshop focuses on the daily opportunities and challenges associated with this type of exhibit with emphasis on enrichment, safety, guest experience, along with the flexibility, freedom, and limitations that one might face if considering a change in this style of animal exhibitry. PDF\'s of this workshop can be found in the <a href="../members/login.php">Member\'s Only</a> section of the website\r\n\r\n<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1816" title="predator_ridge" alt="predator_ridge" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/predator_ridge-300x225.jpg" width="300" height="225" />\r\n\r\n<em>Andrew Rowan and Mike Murray talk about their rotating exhibit Predator Ridge</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>The Future</strong>\r\n\r\nThe main focus of the Professional Development Committee is to concentrate on continuing education and  professional development for animal keepers,  increasing their role in the future of the AAZK.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>Professional Development Committee Members</strong></em>\r\n<h3>Bob Cisneros - AAZK President</h3>\r\n<h3>Board Oversight</h3>\r\n<h3>San Diego Zoo</h3>\r\n<h3>Melaina Wallace - Co-chair</h3>\r\n<h3>Disney\'s Animal Kingdom</h3>\r\n<h3>Ellen Vossekull - Co-Chair</h3>\r\n<h3>Utah\'s Hogle Zoo</h3>\r\n<div><strong>Victor Alm</strong></div>\r\nOakland Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Leanne Blinco</strong></div>\r\nDisney\'s Animal Kingdom\r\n<div><strong>Mike Murray</strong></div>\r\nDenver Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Aaron Jesue</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>North Carolina Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Eunice Hui</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>CuriOdyssey\r\n<div><strong>Dawn Sohr</strong></div>\r\nBrookfield Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Andrew Rowan</strong></div>\r\nDenver Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Anthony Nielsen</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Lincoln Park Zoo\r\n<div><strong>T\'noya Thopmson Gonzales</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Moody Gardens\r\n<div><strong>Chris Mooney</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>San Diego Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Sasha Stallard</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>San Diego Zoo\'s Safari Park\r\n<div><strong>Janee Thill</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Sequoia Park Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Emily Merola</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Utah\'s Hogle Zoo', 'Professional Development Committee', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '178-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 13:42:36', '2013-10-15 18:42:36', '', 178, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/178-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3161, 1, '2013-10-15 13:43:16', '2013-10-15 18:43:16', '[col w="6"]\r\n<h3>Chair</h3>\r\n[caption id="attachment_2550" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-full wp-image-2550" alt=" Melaina Wallace - Disney\'s Animal Kingdom" src="http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/wp-content/uploads/melaina3.jpg" width="150" height="159" /> Melaina Wallace - <em>Disney\'s Animal Kingdom</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[/col][col w="6"]<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1132" title="pdc_color_logo" alt="pdc_color_logo" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pdc_color_logo-155x300.jpg" width="155" height="300" />[/col]\r\n<h3>Purpose</h3>\r\n<img class=" wp-image-1814 alignright" title="pass_workshop" alt="pass_workshop" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pass_workshop-225x300.jpg" width="225" height="300" />\r\nThe Professional Development Committee\'s Mission is to provide continual resources for professional growth through leadership and educational opportunities for all National AAZK members.\r\n\r\nThe Passerine Husbandry Workshop  taught by Dr. Robert Webster from the Toledo Zoo, sponsored by Marion Zoological, Mazuri, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.   This  a 6-hour workshop that focuses on allowing keepers being able to share their own personal or their own facilities advancements in the care of these small birds.   PDF\'s of this workshop can be found in the <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/members/login.php">Member\'s Only</a> section of the website.\r\n[caption id="attachment_1815" align="center" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-1815" title="robert_webster" alt="robert_webster" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/robert_webster-300x225.jpg" width="300" height="225" />Dr. Robert Webster giving one of many bird husbandry talks[caption]\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Rotating Exhibit Workshop hosted by keepers from the Denver Zoo, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Philadelphia Zoo, and Point Defiance Zoo.   This type of animal exhibitry is starting to become a new direction and method of revitalizing old exhibits while staying in existing footprints and addressing the ever rising expectations of animal welfare and behavioral husbandry.  This two hour workshop focuses on the daily opportunities and challenges associated with this type of exhibit with emphasis on enrichment, safety, guest experience, along with the flexibility, freedom, and limitations that one might face if considering a change in this style of animal exhibitry. PDF\'s of this workshop can be found in the <a href="../members/login.php">Member\'s Only</a> section of the website\r\n\r\n<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1816" title="predator_ridge" alt="predator_ridge" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/predator_ridge-300x225.jpg" width="300" height="225" />\r\n\r\n<em>Andrew Rowan and Mike Murray talk about their rotating exhibit Predator Ridge</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>The Future</strong>\r\n\r\nThe main focus of the Professional Development Committee is to concentrate on continuing education and  professional development for animal keepers,  increasing their role in the future of the AAZK.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>Professional Development Committee Members</strong></em>\r\n<h3>Bob Cisneros - AAZK President</h3>\r\n<h3>Board Oversight</h3>\r\n<h3>San Diego Zoo</h3>\r\n<h3>Melaina Wallace - Co-chair</h3>\r\n<h3>Disney\'s Animal Kingdom</h3>\r\n<h3>Ellen Vossekull - Co-Chair</h3>\r\n<h3>Utah\'s Hogle Zoo</h3>\r\n<div><strong>Victor Alm</strong></div>\r\nOakland Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Leanne Blinco</strong></div>\r\nDisney\'s Animal Kingdom\r\n<div><strong>Mike Murray</strong></div>\r\nDenver Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Aaron Jesue</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>North Carolina Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Eunice Hui</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>CuriOdyssey\r\n<div><strong>Dawn Sohr</strong></div>\r\nBrookfield Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Andrew Rowan</strong></div>\r\nDenver Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Anthony Nielsen</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Lincoln Park Zoo\r\n<div><strong>T\'noya Thopmson Gonzales</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Moody Gardens\r\n<div><strong>Chris Mooney</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>San Diego Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Sasha Stallard</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>San Diego Zoo\'s Safari Park\r\n<div><strong>Janee Thill</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Sequoia Park Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Emily Merola</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Utah\'s Hogle Zoo', 'Professional Development Committee', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '178-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 13:43:16', '2013-10-15 18:43:16', '', 178, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/178-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3162, 1, '2013-10-15 13:45:01', '2013-10-15 18:45:01', '[col w="6"]\r\n<h3>Chair</h3>\r\n[caption id="attachment_2550" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-full wp-image-2550" alt=" Melaina Wallace - Disney\'s Animal Kingdom" src="http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/wp-content/uploads/melaina3.jpg" width="150" height="159" /> Melaina Wallace - <em>Disney\'s Animal Kingdom</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[/col][col w="6"]<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1132" title="pdc_color_logo" alt="pdc_color_logo" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pdc_color_logo-155x300.jpg" width="155" height="300" />[/col]\r\n<h3>Purpose</h3>\r\n<img class=" wp-image-1814 alignright" title="pass_workshop" alt="pass_workshop" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pass_workshop-225x300.jpg" width="225" height="300" />\r\nThe Professional Development Committee\'s Mission is to provide continual resources for professional growth through leadership and educational opportunities for all National AAZK members.\r\n\r\nThe Passerine Husbandry Workshop  taught by Dr. Robert Webster from the Toledo Zoo, sponsored by Marion Zoological, Mazuri, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.   This  a 6-hour workshop that focuses on allowing keepers being able to share their own personal or their own facilities advancements in the care of these small birds.   PDF\'s of this workshop can be found in the <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/members/login.php">Member\'s Only</a> section of the website.\r\n[caption id="attachment_1815" align="aligncenter" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-1815" title="robert_webster" alt="robert_webster" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/robert_webster-300x225.jpg" width="300" height="225" />Dr. Robert Webster giving one of many bird husbandry talks[/caption]\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Rotating Exhibit Workshop hosted by keepers from the Denver Zoo, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Philadelphia Zoo, and Point Defiance Zoo.   This type of animal exhibitry is starting to become a new direction and method of revitalizing old exhibits while staying in existing footprints and addressing the ever rising expectations of animal welfare and behavioral husbandry.  This two hour workshop focuses on the daily opportunities and challenges associated with this type of exhibit with emphasis on enrichment, safety, guest experience, along with the flexibility, freedom, and limitations that one might face if considering a change in this style of animal exhibitry. PDF\'s of this workshop can be found in the <a href="../members/login.php">Member\'s Only</a> section of the website\r\n\r\n<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1816" title="predator_ridge" alt="predator_ridge" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/predator_ridge-300x225.jpg" width="300" height="225" />\r\n\r\n<em>Andrew Rowan and Mike Murray talk about their rotating exhibit Predator Ridge</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>The Future</strong>\r\n\r\nThe main focus of the Professional Development Committee is to concentrate on continuing education and  professional development for animal keepers,  increasing their role in the future of the AAZK.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>Professional Development Committee Members</strong></em>\r\n<h3>Bob Cisneros - AAZK President</h3>\r\n<h3>Board Oversight</h3>\r\n<h3>San Diego Zoo</h3>\r\n<h3>Melaina Wallace - Co-chair</h3>\r\n<h3>Disney\'s Animal Kingdom</h3>\r\n<h3>Ellen Vossekull - Co-Chair</h3>\r\n<h3>Utah\'s Hogle Zoo</h3>\r\n<div><strong>Victor Alm</strong></div>\r\nOakland Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Leanne Blinco</strong></div>\r\nDisney\'s Animal Kingdom\r\n<div><strong>Mike Murray</strong></div>\r\nDenver Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Aaron Jesue</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>North Carolina Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Eunice Hui</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>CuriOdyssey\r\n<div><strong>Dawn Sohr</strong></div>\r\nBrookfield Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Andrew Rowan</strong></div>\r\nDenver Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Anthony Nielsen</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Lincoln Park Zoo\r\n<div><strong>T\'noya Thopmson Gonzales</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Moody Gardens\r\n<div><strong>Chris Mooney</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>San Diego Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Sasha Stallard</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>San Diego Zoo\'s Safari Park\r\n<div><strong>Janee Thill</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Sequoia Park Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Emily Merola</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Utah\'s Hogle Zoo', 'Professional Development Committee', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '178-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 13:45:01', '2013-10-15 18:45:01', '', 178, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/178-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3163, 1, '2013-11-06 16:20:18', '2013-11-06 21:20:18', '<h4>Purpose</h4>\r\n<img class="alignleft wp-image-1132" title="Professional Development Committee Logo" alt="Professional Development Committee Logo" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pdc_color_logo-155x300.jpg" width="130" /> The Professional Development Committee\'s Mission is to provide continual resources for professional growth through leadership and educational opportunities for all National AAZK members.\r\n\r\nThe Passerine Husbandry Workshop taught by Dr. Robert Webster from the Toledo Zoo, sponsored by Marion Zoological, Mazuri, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This a 6-hour workshop that focuses on allowing keepers being able to share their own personal or their own facilities advancements in the care of these small birds. <img class="alignright" title="Passerine Husbandry Workshop" alt="Passerine Husbandry Workshop" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pass_workshop-225x300.jpg" width="125"/> \r\n\r\nThe Rotating Exhibit Workshop hosted by keepers from the Denver Zoo, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Philadelphia Zoo, and Point Defiance Zoo. This type of animal exhibitry is starting to become a new direction and method of revitalizing old exhibits while staying in existing footprints and addressing the ever rising expectations of animal welfare and behavioral husbandry. This two hour workshop focuses on the daily opportunities and challenges associated with this type of exhibit with emphasis on enrichment, safety, guest experience, along with the flexibility, freedom, and limitations that one might face if considering a change in this style of animal exhibitry. \r\n\r\n<div class="first sixcol">\r\n[caption id="attachment_1815" align="aligncenter" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-1815" title="robert_webster" alt="robert_webster" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/robert_webster-300x225.jpg" width="300" height="225" /> Dr. Robert Webster giving one of many bird husbandry talks[/caption]\r\n</div>\r\n<div class="sixcol">\r\n[caption id="attachment_1815" align="aligncenter" width="300"]<img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1816" title="predator_ridge" alt="predator_ridge" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/predator_ridge-300x225.jpg" width="300" height="225" /> Andrew Rowan and Mike Murray talk about their rotating exhibit Predator Ridge[/caption]\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<h4>The Future</h4>\r\n\r\nThe main focus of the Professional Development Committee is to concentrate on continuing education and  professional development for animal keepers,  increasing their role in the future of the AAZK.\r\n\r\n<h4>Professional Development Committee Members</h4>\r\n<div class="first sixcol">\r\n <p align="center"><strong>Co-Chair</strong></p>\r\n<img class="aligncenter" alt="Melaina Wallace - Disney\'s Animal Kingdom" src="http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/wp-content/uploads/melaina3.jpg" width="150" height="159" /> <p align="center">Melaina Wallace - <em>Disney\'s Animal Kingdom</em></p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div class="last sixcol">\r\n <p align="center"><strong>Co-Chair</strong></p>\r\n<img src="[homeurl]/wp-content/uploads/no-img.jpg" class="aligncenter" alt="No Image Available">\r\n <p align="center">Ellen Vossekull - <em>Utah\'s Hogle Zoo</em></p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div class="first sixcol">\r\n<strong>Victor Alm</strong>\r\n<em>Oakland Zoo</em>\r\n<strong>Leanne Blinco</strong>\r\n<em>Disney\'s Animal Kingdom</em>\r\n<strong>Mike Murray</strong>\r\n<em>Denver Zoo</em>\r\n<strong>Aaron Jesue</strong>\r\n<em>North Carolina Zoo</em>\r\n<strong>Eunice Hui</strong>\r\n<em>CuriOdyssey</em>\r\n<strong>Dawn Sohr</strong>\r\n<em>Brookfield Zoo</em>\r\n<strong>Andrew Rowan</strong>\r\n<em>Denver Zoo</em>\r\n</div>\r\n<div class="last sixcol">\r\n<strong>Anthony Nielsen</strong>\r\n<em>Lincoln Park Zoo</em>\r\n<strong>T\'noya Thopmson Gonzales</strong>\r\n<em>Moody Gardens</em>\r\n<strong>Chris Mooney</strong>\r\n<em>San Diego Zoo</em>\r\n<strong>Sasha Stallard</strong>\r\n<em>San Diego Zoo\'s Safari Park</em>\r\n<strong>Janee Thill</strong>\r\n<em>Sequoia Park Zoo</em>\r\n<strong>Emily Merola</strong>\r\n<em>Utah\'s Hogle Zoo</em>\r\n</div>', 'Professional Development Committee', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '178-autosave-v1', '', '', '2013-11-06 16:20:18', '2013-11-06 21:20:18', '', 178, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/178-autosave-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3167, 1, '2013-10-15 13:50:34', '2013-10-15 18:50:34', '[col w="6"]\r\n<h3>Chair</h3>\r\n[caption id="attachment_2550" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-full wp-image-2550" alt=" Melaina Wallace - Disney\'s Animal Kingdom" src="http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/wp-content/uploads/melaina3.jpg" width="150" height="159" /> Melaina Wallace - <em>Disney\'s Animal Kingdom</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[/col][col w="6"]<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1132" title="pdc_color_logo" alt="pdc_color_logo" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pdc_color_logo-155x300.jpg" width="155" height="300" />[/col]\r\n<h3>Purpose</h3>\r\n<img class=" wp-image-1814 alignright" title="pass_workshop" alt="pass_workshop" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pass_workshop-225x300.jpg" width="225" height="300" />\r\nThe Professional Development Committee\'s Mission is to provide continual resources for professional growth through leadership and educational opportunities for all National AAZK members.\r\n\r\nThe Passerine Husbandry Workshop  taught by Dr. Robert Webster from the Toledo Zoo, sponsored by Marion Zoological, Mazuri, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.   This  a 6-hour workshop that focuses on allowing keepers being able to share their own personal or their own facilities advancements in the care of these small birds.   PDF\'s of this workshop can be found in the <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/members/login.php">Member\'s Only</a> section of the website.\r\n[caption id="attachment_1815" align="aligncenter" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-1815" title="robert_webster" alt="robert_webster" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/robert_webster-300x225.jpg" width="300" height="225" />Dr. Robert Webster giving one of many bird husbandry talks[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Rotating Exhibit Workshop hosted by keepers from the Denver Zoo, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Philadelphia Zoo, and Point Defiance Zoo.   This type of animal exhibitry is starting to become a new direction and method of revitalizing old exhibits while staying in existing footprints and addressing the ever rising expectations of animal welfare and behavioral husbandry.  This two hour workshop focuses on the daily opportunities and challenges associated with this type of exhibit with emphasis on enrichment, safety, guest experience, along with the flexibility, freedom, and limitations that one might face if considering a change in this style of animal exhibitry. PDF\'s of this workshop can be found in the <a href="../members/login.php">Member\'s Only</a> section of the website\r\n\r\n[caption id="attachment_1815" align="aligncenter" width="300"]<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1816" title="predator_ridge" alt="predator_ridge" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/predator_ridge-300x225.jpg" width="300" height="225" />Andrew Rowan and Mike Murray talk about their rotating exhibit Predator Ridge[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>The Future</strong>\r\n\r\nThe main focus of the Professional Development Committee is to concentrate on continuing education and  professional development for animal keepers,  increasing their role in the future of the AAZK.\r\n\r\n<h4>Professional Development Committee Members</h4>\r\n[col w="6"]Bob Cisneros - AAZK President\r\n<strong>Board Oversight</strong>\r\nSan Diego Zoo\r\nMelaina Wallace - Co-chair\r\nDisney\'s Animal Kingdom\r\nEllen Vossekull - Co-Chair\r\nUtah\'s Hogle Zoo\r\nVictor Alm\r\nOakland Zoo\r\nLeanne Blinco\r\nDisney\'s Animal Kingdom\r\nMike Murray\r\nDenver Zoo\r\nAaron Jesue\r\nNorth Carolina Zoo\r\nEunice Hui\r\n[/col][col w="6"]CuriOdyssey\r\nDawn Sohr\r\nBrookfield Zoo\r\nAndrew Rowan\r\nDenver Zoo\r\nAnthony Nielsen\r\nLincoln Park Zoo\r\nT\'noya Thopmson Gonzales\r\nMoody Gardens\r\nChris Mooney\r\nSan Diego Zoo\r\nSasha Stallard\r\nSan Diego Zoo\'s Safari Park\r\nJanee Thill\r\nSequoia Park Zoo\r\nEmily Merola\r\nUtah\'s Hogle Zoo[/col]', 'Professional Development Committee', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '178-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 13:50:34', '2013-10-15 18:50:34', '', 178, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/178-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3166, 1, '2013-10-15 13:49:01', '2013-10-15 18:49:01', '[col w="6"]\r\n<h3>Chair</h3>\r\n[caption id="attachment_2550" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-full wp-image-2550" alt=" Melaina Wallace - Disney\'s Animal Kingdom" src="http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/wp-content/uploads/melaina3.jpg" width="150" height="159" /> Melaina Wallace - <em>Disney\'s Animal Kingdom</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[/col][col w="6"]<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1132" title="pdc_color_logo" alt="pdc_color_logo" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pdc_color_logo-155x300.jpg" width="155" height="300" />[/col]\r\n<h3>Purpose</h3>\r\n<img class=" wp-image-1814 alignright" title="pass_workshop" alt="pass_workshop" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pass_workshop-225x300.jpg" width="225" height="300" />\r\nThe Professional Development Committee\'s Mission is to provide continual resources for professional growth through leadership and educational opportunities for all National AAZK members.\r\n\r\nThe Passerine Husbandry Workshop  taught by Dr. Robert Webster from the Toledo Zoo, sponsored by Marion Zoological, Mazuri, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.   This  a 6-hour workshop that focuses on allowing keepers being able to share their own personal or their own facilities advancements in the care of these small birds.   PDF\'s of this workshop can be found in the <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/members/login.php">Member\'s Only</a> section of the website.\r\n[caption id="attachment_1815" align="aligncenter" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-1815" title="robert_webster" alt="robert_webster" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/robert_webster-300x225.jpg" width="300" height="225" />Dr. Robert Webster giving one of many bird husbandry talks[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Rotating Exhibit Workshop hosted by keepers from the Denver Zoo, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Philadelphia Zoo, and Point Defiance Zoo.   This type of animal exhibitry is starting to become a new direction and method of revitalizing old exhibits while staying in existing footprints and addressing the ever rising expectations of animal welfare and behavioral husbandry.  This two hour workshop focuses on the daily opportunities and challenges associated with this type of exhibit with emphasis on enrichment, safety, guest experience, along with the flexibility, freedom, and limitations that one might face if considering a change in this style of animal exhibitry. PDF\'s of this workshop can be found in the <a href="../members/login.php">Member\'s Only</a> section of the website\r\n\r\n[caption id="attachment_1815" align="aligncenter" width="300"]<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1816" title="predator_ridge" alt="predator_ridge" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/predator_ridge-300x225.jpg" width="300" height="225" />Andrew Rowan and Mike Murray talk about their rotating exhibit Predator Ridge[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>The Future</strong>\r\n\r\nThe main focus of the Professional Development Committee is to concentrate on continuing education and  professional development for animal keepers,  increasing their role in the future of the AAZK.\r\n\r\n<h4>Professional Development Committee Members</h4>\r\nBob Cisneros - AAZK President\r\nBoard Oversight\r\nSan Diego Zoo\r\nMelaina Wallace - Co-chair\r\nDisney\'s Animal Kingdom\r\nEllen Vossekull - Co-Chair\r\nUtah\'s Hogle Zoo\r\nVictor Alm\r\nOakland Zoo\r\nLeanne Blinco\r\nDisney\'s Animal Kingdom\r\nMike Murray\r\nDenver Zoo\r\nAaron Jesue\r\nNorth Carolina Zoo\r\nEunice Hui\r\nCuriOdyssey\r\nDawn Sohr\r\nBrookfield Zoo\r\nAndrew Rowan\r\nDenver Zoo\r\nAnthony Nielsen\r\nLincoln Park Zoo\r\nT\'noya Thopmson Gonzales\r\nMoody Gardens\r\nChris Mooney\r\nSan Diego Zoo\r\nSasha Stallard\r\nSan Diego Zoo\'s Safari Park\r\nJanee Thill\r\nSequoia Park Zoo\r\nEmily Merola\r\nUtah\'s Hogle Zoo', 'Professional Development Committee', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '178-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 13:49:01', '2013-10-15 18:49:01', '', 178, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/178-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3164, 1, '2013-10-15 13:46:10', '2013-10-15 18:46:10', '[col w="6"]\r\n<h3>Chair</h3>\r\n[caption id="attachment_2550" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-full wp-image-2550" alt=" Melaina Wallace - Disney\'s Animal Kingdom" src="http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/wp-content/uploads/melaina3.jpg" width="150" height="159" /> Melaina Wallace - <em>Disney\'s Animal Kingdom</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[/col][col w="6"]<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1132" title="pdc_color_logo" alt="pdc_color_logo" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pdc_color_logo-155x300.jpg" width="155" height="300" />[/col]\r\n<h3>Purpose</h3>\r\n<img class=" wp-image-1814 alignright" title="pass_workshop" alt="pass_workshop" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pass_workshop-225x300.jpg" width="225" height="300" />\r\nThe Professional Development Committee\'s Mission is to provide continual resources for professional growth through leadership and educational opportunities for all National AAZK members.\r\n\r\nThe Passerine Husbandry Workshop  taught by Dr. Robert Webster from the Toledo Zoo, sponsored by Marion Zoological, Mazuri, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.   This  a 6-hour workshop that focuses on allowing keepers being able to share their own personal or their own facilities advancements in the care of these small birds.   PDF\'s of this workshop can be found in the <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/members/login.php">Member\'s Only</a> section of the website.\r\n[caption id="attachment_1815" align="aligncenter" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-1815" title="robert_webster" alt="robert_webster" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/robert_webster-300x225.jpg" width="300" height="225" />Dr. Robert Webster giving one of many bird husbandry talks[/caption]\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Rotating Exhibit Workshop hosted by keepers from the Denver Zoo, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Philadelphia Zoo, and Point Defiance Zoo.   This type of animal exhibitry is starting to become a new direction and method of revitalizing old exhibits while staying in existing footprints and addressing the ever rising expectations of animal welfare and behavioral husbandry.  This two hour workshop focuses on the daily opportunities and challenges associated with this type of exhibit with emphasis on enrichment, safety, guest experience, along with the flexibility, freedom, and limitations that one might face if considering a change in this style of animal exhibitry. PDF\'s of this workshop can be found in the <a href="../members/login.php">Member\'s Only</a> section of the website\r\n\r\n[caption id="attachment_1815" align="aligncenter" "width="300"]<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1816" title="predator_ridge" alt="predator_ridge" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/predator_ridge-300x225.jpg" width="300" height="225" />Andrew Rowan and Mike Murray talk about their rotating exhibit Predator Ridge[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>The Future</strong>\r\n\r\nThe main focus of the Professional Development Committee is to concentrate on continuing education and  professional development for animal keepers,  increasing their role in the future of the AAZK.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>Professional Development Committee Members</strong></em>\r\n<h3>Bob Cisneros - AAZK President</h3>\r\n<h3>Board Oversight</h3>\r\n<h3>San Diego Zoo</h3>\r\n<h3>Melaina Wallace - Co-chair</h3>\r\n<h3>Disney\'s Animal Kingdom</h3>\r\n<h3>Ellen Vossekull - Co-Chair</h3>\r\n<h3>Utah\'s Hogle Zoo</h3>\r\n<div><strong>Victor Alm</strong></div>\r\nOakland Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Leanne Blinco</strong></div>\r\nDisney\'s Animal Kingdom\r\n<div><strong>Mike Murray</strong></div>\r\nDenver Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Aaron Jesue</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>North Carolina Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Eunice Hui</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>CuriOdyssey\r\n<div><strong>Dawn Sohr</strong></div>\r\nBrookfield Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Andrew Rowan</strong></div>\r\nDenver Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Anthony Nielsen</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Lincoln Park Zoo\r\n<div><strong>T\'noya Thopmson Gonzales</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Moody Gardens\r\n<div><strong>Chris Mooney</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>San Diego Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Sasha Stallard</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>San Diego Zoo\'s Safari Park\r\n<div><strong>Janee Thill</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Sequoia Park Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Emily Merola</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Utah\'s Hogle Zoo', 'Professional Development Committee', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '178-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 13:46:10', '2013-10-15 18:46:10', '', 178, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/178-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3165, 1, '2013-10-15 13:47:19', '2013-10-15 18:47:19', '[col w="6"]\r\n<h3>Chair</h3>\r\n[caption id="attachment_2550" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-full wp-image-2550" alt=" Melaina Wallace - Disney\'s Animal Kingdom" src="http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/wp-content/uploads/melaina3.jpg" width="150" height="159" /> Melaina Wallace - <em>Disney\'s Animal Kingdom</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[/col][col w="6"]<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1132" title="pdc_color_logo" alt="pdc_color_logo" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pdc_color_logo-155x300.jpg" width="155" height="300" />[/col]\r\n<h3>Purpose</h3>\r\n<img class=" wp-image-1814 alignright" title="pass_workshop" alt="pass_workshop" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pass_workshop-225x300.jpg" width="225" height="300" />\r\nThe Professional Development Committee\'s Mission is to provide continual resources for professional growth through leadership and educational opportunities for all National AAZK members.\r\n\r\nThe Passerine Husbandry Workshop  taught by Dr. Robert Webster from the Toledo Zoo, sponsored by Marion Zoological, Mazuri, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.   This  a 6-hour workshop that focuses on allowing keepers being able to share their own personal or their own facilities advancements in the care of these small birds.   PDF\'s of this workshop can be found in the <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/members/login.php">Member\'s Only</a> section of the website.\r\n[caption id="attachment_1815" align="aligncenter" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-1815" title="robert_webster" alt="robert_webster" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/robert_webster-300x225.jpg" width="300" height="225" />Dr. Robert Webster giving one of many bird husbandry talks[/caption]\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Rotating Exhibit Workshop hosted by keepers from the Denver Zoo, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Philadelphia Zoo, and Point Defiance Zoo.   This type of animal exhibitry is starting to become a new direction and method of revitalizing old exhibits while staying in existing footprints and addressing the ever rising expectations of animal welfare and behavioral husbandry.  This two hour workshop focuses on the daily opportunities and challenges associated with this type of exhibit with emphasis on enrichment, safety, guest experience, along with the flexibility, freedom, and limitations that one might face if considering a change in this style of animal exhibitry. PDF\'s of this workshop can be found in the <a href="../members/login.php">Member\'s Only</a> section of the website\r\n\r\n[caption id="attachment_1815" align="aligncenter" width="300"]<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1816" title="predator_ridge" alt="predator_ridge" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/predator_ridge-300x225.jpg" width="300" height="225" />Andrew Rowan and Mike Murray talk about their rotating exhibit Predator Ridge[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>The Future</strong>\r\n\r\nThe main focus of the Professional Development Committee is to concentrate on continuing education and  professional development for animal keepers,  increasing their role in the future of the AAZK.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>Professional Development Committee Members</strong></em>\r\n<h3>Bob Cisneros - AAZK President</h3>\r\n<h3>Board Oversight</h3>\r\n<h3>San Diego Zoo</h3>\r\n<h3>Melaina Wallace - Co-chair</h3>\r\n<h3>Disney\'s Animal Kingdom</h3>\r\n<h3>Ellen Vossekull - Co-Chair</h3>\r\n<h3>Utah\'s Hogle Zoo</h3>\r\n<div><strong>Victor Alm</strong></div>\r\nOakland Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Leanne Blinco</strong></div>\r\nDisney\'s Animal Kingdom\r\n<div><strong>Mike Murray</strong></div>\r\nDenver Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Aaron Jesue</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>North Carolina Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Eunice Hui</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>CuriOdyssey\r\n<div><strong>Dawn Sohr</strong></div>\r\nBrookfield Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Andrew Rowan</strong></div>\r\nDenver Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Anthony Nielsen</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Lincoln Park Zoo\r\n<div><strong>T\'noya Thopmson Gonzales</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Moody Gardens\r\n<div><strong>Chris Mooney</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>San Diego Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Sasha Stallard</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>San Diego Zoo\'s Safari Park\r\n<div><strong>Janee Thill</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Sequoia Park Zoo\r\n<div><strong>Emily Merola</strong></div>\r\n<strong> </strong>Utah\'s Hogle Zoo', 'Professional Development Committee', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '178-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 13:47:19', '2013-10-15 18:47:19', '', 178, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/178-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3359, 1, '2013-10-23 11:49:04', '2013-10-23 16:49:04', ' ', '', 0, '', 'publish', 'closed', 'closed', '', '3359', '', '', '2014-01-15 14:32:30', '2014-01-15 19:32:30', '', 168, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/?p=3359', 13, 'nav_menu_item', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3172, 1, '2013-10-15 16:11:59', '2013-10-15 21:11:59', '[membership level="-0"]\r\nIt costs $50 USD to post a job for 60 days. Institutional Members can post jobs for free. <a href="http://www.aecetia.net/gws/aazk/membership-account/">Sign up here.</a>\r\n[gravityform id="12" name="Job Submission"]\r\n[/membership]\r\n[membership level="1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,12,14,15,16,17,18"]\r\nIt costs $50 USD to post a job for 60 days. Institutional Members can post jobs for free. <a href="http://www.aecetia.net/gws/aazk/membership-account/membership-levels/">Upgrade your account here.</a>\r\n[gravityform id="12" name="Job Submission (paid w/ expiration date)" title="false" description="false"]\r\n[/membership]\r\n[membership level="11,13"]\r\nYou are currently logged in with an Institutional Membership. You should use the <a title="Submit a Job" href="http://www.aecetia.net/gws/aazk/job-listings/submit-a-job-members/">Member Create a Job</a> page to submit jobs.\r\n[/membership]', 'Submit a Job', 0, '', 'publish', 'closed', 'closed', '', 'submit-a-job', '', '', '2014-01-15 15:07:37', '2014-01-15 20:07:37', '', 69, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/?page_id=3172', 0, 'page', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (4750, 1, '2013-11-25 23:59:10', '2013-11-26 04:59:10', '\r\n', 'Submit a Job', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '3172-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-11-25 23:59:10', '2013-11-26 04:59:10', '', 3172, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/3172-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (4719, 1, '2013-11-25 23:23:43', '2013-11-26 04:23:43', '[membership level="13"][gravityform id="1" name="Job Submission"][/membership]\r\n', 'Submit a Job', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '3172-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-11-25 23:23:43', '2013-11-26 04:23:43', '', 3172, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/3172-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3173, 1, '2013-10-15 16:11:59', '2013-10-15 21:11:59', '[gravityform id="1" name="Job Submission"]', 'Submit a Job', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '3172-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 16:11:59', '2013-10-15 21:11:59', '', 3172, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/3172-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3176, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:15', '2013-10-15 22:49:15', '<a rel="attachment wp-att-2982" href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/akf/toc/september-2013-2/attachment/akfseptember20132/"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2982" title="akfseptember20132" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/akfseptember20132.jpg" alt="akfseptember20132" width="604" height="768" /></a>', 'September 2013', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2981-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:15', '2013-10-15 22:49:15', '', 2981, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2981-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3177, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:15', '2013-10-15 22:49:15', 'The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy deeply regrets to announce the death of Anna Merz, one of the Conservancy\'s iconic founders and renowned conservationist. 82-year-old Anna passed away today in a South African hospital, further details pertaining to her death will be communicated later.\r\n\r\nAnna, along with the Craig family, founded the Ngare Sergoi Rhino Sanctuary, which would later on be established as the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. It is by her vision, dedication and desire to save the rhino from extinction that Lewa stands as the proud organization that it is today.\r\n\r\nThe entire Lewa fraternity is devastated to lose the most passionate \'mother of rhinos\', its greatest supporter, and its source of endless         inspiration. Anna proved to us all that one person\'s dream and love for wildlife can create the most significant impact, far beyond our deepest         imagination.\r\n\r\nRest in peace Anna. You will forever be missed and engraved in all of our hearts.\r\n\r\n<img id="_x0000_i1026" src="http://i1.cmail1.com/ei/r/85/B26/F54/csimport/Anna-and-Rhino.214357.jpg" alt="Anna Merz" width="550" height="442" align="center" />', 'Sad Announcement from Lewa', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2835-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:15', '2013-10-15 22:49:15', '', 2835, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2835-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3178, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:15', '2013-10-15 22:49:15', '<em>Jacqueline Hulina, Morgan Lauf, and Susan Lewis, Ph.D.\r\nDepartment of Life Sciences, Carroll University\r\nWaukesha, Wisconsin</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>Introduction:</strong>\r\nUnderstanding courtship and breeding behaviors is critical to the management of wild and captive species facing population declines.  Gentoo penguins (<em>Pygoscelies papua</em>) are listed as declining and approaching threatened status by the IUCN (Birdlife International, 2010).  Establishing a captive environment that promotes breeding while minimizing intraspecific conflict is critical in zoos.\r\n\r\nGentoo penguins form monogamous pairs that breed only once per year (Roscoe, 2008), producing an average of two eggs per nest. Extensive parental care, including incubation, food provisioning, and nest defense, allows for chicks to survive in a harsh environment.  Parental care may even extend past fledging, as adult Gentoo penguins have been observed to offer food to chicks that have dispersed and then returned to their original colony (Polito &amp; Trivelpiece, 2008).\r\n\r\nThere is disagreement among researchers about the relative amount of time and energy invested by male and female Gentoo penguins in courtship/nesting behaviors.  Polito and Trivelpiece (2008) noted a higher level of female parental investment in post-copulation behavior.  Further, females have been shown to lose more biomass during chick rearing compared to males, suggesting that post-copulation parental investment is not equal between the sexes (Lescroël, 2009).  On the other hand, some studies show that males and females invest equal proportions of time incubating eggs (Croxall, 1982; Davis, 1989), leading other researchers to suggest that parental investment between males and females is nearly equivalent (Bingham, 2008).\r\n\r\nThe Milwaukee County Zoo successfully bred Gentoo penguins for the first time in 2010-11, with two pairs producing chicks in the 2010-11 breeding season.  The objectives of this study were to: a) monitor courtship and breeding behaviors of males and females during the second breeding season, b) compare the behavior of birds that were successful breeders in 2010-11 to those that were unsuccessful, and c) investigate factors influencing aggression during courtship and breeding.  We predicted that the amount of time invested in courtship/nesting behaviors would differ between genders.  We expected an increase in the amount of time invested in courtship/nesting behavior as they entered the breeding period and a correlation between increased courtship/nesting behaviors with breeding success.  We also predicted that the frequency of aggressive behaviors would increase throughout the courtship/nesting period, with a higher amount of aggressive behaviors shown by females.\r\n\r\n<strong>Methods:</strong>\r\nWe investigated the behavior of captive Gentoo penguins at the Milwaukee County Zoo.  The exhibit contains eight Gentoo penguins (<em>Pygoscelies papua</em>) and twelve rockhopper penguins (<em>Eudyptes chrysocome</em>).  Three male/female adult pairs were observed (Table 1).  In the 2010-11 season, two pairs produced chicks (Oscar &amp; Daphne, Felix &amp; Olive). Due to a medical situation, the remaining male (Marvin) was kept at the Animal Health Center and thus was not present in the exhibit during the 2010-11 courtship period.  The remaining female (Fiona) did not appear to assist in chick rearing in 2010-11.  Marvin was returned to the enclosure after the chicks were hatched.  The other two Gentoo penguins in the enclosure were chicks from the previous year that had not yet reached sexual maturity, and thus were not considered in the study.  All penguins were marked with individually-recognizable combinations of colored bands.\r\n\r\nThe exhibit was well suited for penguin nesting with multiple flat rock surfaces at varying heights around the perimeter.  The rock surfaces surround a pool with a rock column in the center that forms a bridge to the perimeter rocks (Figure 1).  The center rock blocked a portion of the underwater section of the enclosure from observation, but rarely affected data collection.  The enclosure was kept at 7.2°C – 10°C.  Observations were made from the public viewing area and observers moved to follow the focal animal during each observation session.  In October, zoo keepers placed small inner tubes at sites that had been used for nesting in the 2010-2011 breeding season and brought small rocks into the enclosure for nesting materials.  Enrichment items (ex. sprinkler, rubber ball, stuffed octopus, and partially deflated inner tubes) were placed in the enclosure at various times.  Interactions with enrichment items were taken into account in the ethogram.\r\n\r\nThe Gentoos were observed prior to data collection using an ethogram from a study of captive Humboldt penguins (Merritt &amp; King, 1987).  After the initial observation period, the Humboldt ethogram was adapted for the captive Gentoo penguins by grouping individual behaviors based on the needs of this study and revising definitions as needed.  For example, seven aggressive behaviors from the Humboldt ethogram were grouped into four categories based on whether the behavior involved physical contact and if the behavior was directed toward a member of the same or different species.  The final ethogram (Appendix A) was designed to include a broad variety of behaviors to account for changes in behavior from the norm as Gentoos entered the courtship period.\r\n\r\nTo compare the relative time invested in courtship/nesting behaviors, a combination of all-occurrences sampling and focal animal sampling was used (Martin &amp; Bateson, 2007).  One individual was observed at a time over a 30-minute period, recording all behaviors from the ethogram except for aggression at 15-second intervals.  Because aggressive behavior occurred in discrete and conspicuous bouts, all occurrences of aggressive behaviors were recorded during the full observation period.  Each penguin was observed for two 20-minute sessions and nine 30-minute sessions.  Some observation sessions were disturbed by the entrance of a zoo keeper to clean the enclosure or to feed the penguins.  In the majority of cases, this altered observed behavior.  Since feeding time was scheduled around the same time of day, observation sessions were rotated so that each observation session was subject to the same potential disruption.\r\n\r\nObservations were conducted from October 1st to November 19th, 2011 between 1:00 – 4:00 pm on Mondays and between 8:00 am – 12:00 pm on Saturdays.  This reduced potential bias from behavioral changes at scheduled feeding times.  One observer collected data on the male while the other collected data on the female at the same time so that any introduced situational bias (ex. the entrance of a zoo keeper to the enclosure) would be the same for each sex.  Data collection was standardized on two occasions to ensure 85% or better inter-observer reliability.<img class="alignright size-large wp-image-2807" title="penguin" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/penguin-1024x518.jpg" alt="penguin" width="512" height="259" />\r\n\r\nThe average frequency of each non-aggressive behavior was calculated for individuals and aggregated for all females versus all males.  The average occurrence of aggressive behaviors was calculated for each day and graphed to assess any change in frequency over time.  Means are presented +/- one standard deviation.\r\n\r\n<strong>Results:</strong>\r\nTwo pairs formed during the courtship/nesting period (Oscar &amp; Daphne; Olive &amp; Felix).  The other male (Marvin) and female (Fiona) displayed courtship/nesting behaviors, but did not appear to preferentially direct such behaviors toward any particular individual.  On average, males had a slightly higher percent of time invested in courtship/nesting behaviors (pairing: 0.7 +/- 5.8%; nesting: 25.5 +/- 32.5%) compared to females (pairing: 0.2 +/- 0.8%; nesting: 21.0 +/- 32.8%; Figure 2), although the time budgets were highly variable between days.  Nest guarding behaviors stayed relatively…\r\n\r\n<strong>For this and much more every month, see Animal Keepers’ Forum. AKF is available only by being a member of AAZK. <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/join">JOIN NOW!</a></strong>', 'Courtship, Nesting, and Aggression in Gentoo Penguins at the Milwaukee County Zoo', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2806-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:15', '2013-10-15 22:49:15', '', 2806, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2806-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3179, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:15', '2013-10-15 22:49:15', '<p style="text-align: left;"><img class="size-full wp-image-378 aligncenter" title="training_tails" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/header_training_tails.jpg" alt="training_tails" width="317" height="68" /></p>\r\n<p style="text-align: left;"></p>\r\n\r\n<em>By Eunice Hui, Lead Keeper, and Molly Feldman, Keeper Apprentice, CuriOdyssey, San Mateo, CA</em>\r\n\r\nAggression.  Fear.  Distrust.  These are not the qualities keepers like to see in the animals for which they care; nor are they the qualities that make captive animal management easy.  So when it was decided in the summer of 2009 that Mina, a North American badger (<em>Taxidea taxus</em>), would be started on a training program, this is what we were dealing with.  After four years as a resident of CuriOdyssey (formerly known as Coyote Point Museum), she still showed an extreme lack of habituation which was expressed through a series of aggressive behaviors: hissing, grunting and shaking when the keepers entered the service area, she hid in her den both on exhibit and in her night quarters, quickly running outside in the morning, and sometimes refusing to come in at night.  Needless to say, it was evident that something had to change.  Given the many benefits of operant conditioning, a formal training plan was written for Mina with the following goals in mind: 1) Target training, 2) Desensitization to two trainers in the room, 3) Crate Training and 4) Injection training.  But how do you train an animal that lacks the two most basic requirements for success: a willingness to approach a human being and a motivation to work, even for food?  The answer, we discovered, is slowly, patiently, and to never underestimate what is possible when you give your time to even the most uncooperative of animals.  This paper will discuss the challenges encountered and behavioral changes observed once training commenced, reinforcing the value of a positive keeper-animal relationship and its effect on captive animal welfare.\r\n\r\n<strong>History</strong>\r\n\r\nMina, the North American Badger arrived at Coyote Point Museum in April 2005.  Her transition was far from smooth once introduced to the exhibit.  Each day she buried herself under the dirt, forcing the keepers to dig her out every evening before shifting her into the night quarters.  She also managed to break through the fake rockwork and climb into a cement crevice inside of her den, making it impossible to gain access to her.  Since she would not willingly come out during the day, Keepers had to devise a way to get her back into the night house overnight and trap her in there so that the hole could be repaired.  Many days of troubleshooting like this went by before Mina was able to enter her exhibit each day without any major problems.  However, she continually appeared lethargic and spent most of the day hiding. Alloy [1979] states that inactivity displayed by an animal may be caused by learned helplessness, if the subject has the experience that there is no possibility to escape an environment perceived as negative. For a captive born animal, Mina appeared to have trouble coping with changes to her surroundings or daily routine and remained continually fearful, aggressive and uncooperative.  Additionally, she was easily startled by loud noises (e.g. door slamming or the arrival of a garbage truck) and usually refused to come inside at night, leaving the keepers with no alternative but to use a herding board to coax her in. For these reasons, a training program was implemented with the hopes of improving Mina’s quality of life and making management easier on both her and the keepers.\r\n\r\n<strong>Preparation</strong>\r\n\r\nThere were many obstacles to overcome in the initial stages of Mina’s training.  The first was to find a food item for which she would be motivated to train.  A variety of treats were offered to her each day but she showed no interest in anything except her normal diet, particularly the meat.  The second obstacle was that due to her temperament, direct contact was impossible and training would have to take place via protected contact in her night quarters (Photo 1).\r\n\r\nThis limited the ways in which we could get close enough to her or get her attention if she chose not to approach us herself.  Further complicating matters was a third obstacle: she wouldn’t approach anyone, ever.  However all of this changed with the introduction of something that was not initially considered to be of importance: a new keeper.\r\n\r\nIt was decided early on that Molly Feldman, the Keeper Apprentice, would be put in charge of Mina’s training.  Molly had only been working at the museum for a few weeks and along with the other keepers, had been given the opportunity of trying to get Mina accustomed to hand feeding (using tongs) through the fence in her night quarters (Photo 2). Everyone had tried coaxing her out of her den each day but she wouldn’t move, even for a piece of mouse or chicken.  Instead she remained as hidden as possible, hissing and snarling at anyone who tried talking to her or came within her line of vision.  It was therefore a surprise when one day she cautiously made her way over to Molly, snatched the meat from the tongs and quickly retreated to her “safe place.”  After seeing Mina respond to a new keeper with whom she had no previous associations, it was realized that this was the way to get her training program started.  It was also decided that Mina would be trained with the meat from her diet since it seemed to be the only thing she ate consistently and would not be at risk of becoming overweight from the use of extra treats.  With the initial obstacles seemingly overcome, the process of building a trusting relationship between badger and human began.\r\n\r\n<strong>Training</strong>\r\n\r\nGaining Mina’s trust was critical to the success of her training plan. The first month was devoted to getting her comfortable enough with her trainer’s presence and allowing her to hand feed.  This meant sitting on the ground outside of her run, offering pieces of food through the fence and waiting for a response. The environment had to be as secure as possible with few external noises and limited movement by the trainer.  Sudden movements would quickly send her back into her den, hissing and shaking.  After a few weeks of patiently encouraging her to eat from the tongs, Mina was already displaying less aggression and approached the trainer more readily.  She had progressed from quickly taking the meat and leaving, to staying to chew one piece; then two, then three.  Once she was consistently eating all the meat without retreating, it was decided that their relationship had a secure enough foundation to move forward and introduce the verbal bridge, “good”. At this point Mina was still very reactive to everything, voices being no exception, so the trainer began by whispering the bridge as Mina simultaneously took a piece of meat from the tongs.  Her initial response was to hiss and retreat, come back for another piece and repeat.  However after only a few sessions the trainer was able to speak louder and louder until Mina was accustomed to the regular volume of her voice.\r\n\r\nThe next stage was to desensitize Mina to movement, as any change in the trainer’s seated position would cause displays of disapproval.  This began by slowly making small movements such as leaning to the side or stretching out a leg, all the while continuing to strengthen the bridge.  This progressed to the trainer being able to stand up and sit back down, while reinforcing Mina for remaining calm throughout.  By the end of the second month it seemed she was understanding the bridge and had even begun exhibiting signs of positive emotions associated with improved coping behavior, as pointed out by Boissy et al. (2007): “A number of signs can indicate positive experience in animals – for example, successful coping, reward and wanting, resulting in goal-directed behavior.”  Mina was demonstrating less fear and aggression and was willingly participating in most training sessions.  She seemed eager to approach the trainer and continually appeared interested and motivated.  Thus with the bridge checked off the list and her trust in the trainer clearly established, Mina was ready to move on to learning other behaviors that would hopefully allow her transformation to continue.\r\n\r\nThe following eight months of training progressed very quickly.  Training sessions were conducted five days per week, twice a day if time allowed.  They initially took place in the morning and evening, but this was changed to a variable schedule as she was not always motivated during these times of the day.  In the end, the unpredictability made her much easier to shift as she would eagerly come inside at any time, expecting a session to take place (Photo 3).\r\n\r\nUnpredictability was also beneficial in eradicating the potential for superstitious behaviors.  In the beginning, Mina was very sensitive to change.  However once her behaviors became stronger, the trainer began to make changes such as re-arranging the furniture in her run, training occasionally with the guillotine door open, or leaving the radio turned up.   While she was still sometimes spooked by an unforeseen noise, she very rarely ended her participation because of it. Each session began in the same place, the front left corner of the run, which became an unofficial station.  She had developed a “calm position” during our desensitization stage where she would stick her nose through the fence and wait (Photo 4).  The trainer took advantage of this and started by gently touching her on the nose with the target pole (the end of a broomstick which was padded for safety) and saying the word “Target”. This progressed to holding it against her nose for longer and longer periods of time before bridging. Eventually it was moved over a few inches, then a few feet, until she would consistently move to wherever it was placed. Later in the year, the trainer was able to use this behavior to train another: climbing the fence.  By asking her to target above her head, she would pull herself up exposing her abdomen, and could be asked to climb higher or climb down simply by moving the target pole around.  The pole was phased out and was replaced with hand cues in conjunction with a hold behavior so she did not climb down before being asked (Photo 5).  These behaviors were all precursors to the goal of injection training, which would also require the essential element of touch. As Mina’s behavior was changing throughout the year, so was her personality.  Mina began exhibiting signs of positive emotions with improved coping behavior and demonstrating less fear and aggression. Once a timid badger, she was now bold enough to reach her arm through the fence with her paw if the trainer was not going fast enough.  The trainer took advantage of this by capturing the behavior known as “Paw,” in which Mina reached through the fence and placed her paw in the trainer’s open palm.  This became her strongest behavior and a consistent way to reward her if she was struggling with something else.  It also introduced the concept of touch, which was extended to scratching her belly during a climb, and eventually to being poked on the flank with a capped pen in the beginning stages of injection training.\r\n\r\nBy this time, Molly’s apprenticeship was coming to an end.  It became necessary to begin introducing a secondary trainer and hopefully transfer the behaviors Mina had learned over the past eight months.  As with everything else, this process required patience and persistence.  Rather than being asked for behaviors, Mina was simply rewarded for staying calm and coming out of her den in the presence of a second person.  Mina was not quite ready to train but was comfortable enough to take food from another person when her new trainer, Eunice Hui, was finally introduced.  It was therefore decided that Eunice would begin building her own trusting relationship with Mina, by simply hand feeding her until Mina was prepared to move on.\r\n\r\nThanks to Molly’s many months of hard work in establishing a baseline for training behaviors, Eunice was able to take over with minimal setbacks.  She was introduced to Mina as a secondary trainer in February 2010 and became the primary in June 2010.  The goals for Mina at that time were to tighten the criteria for some of her established behaviors, continue with injection training and begin crate training (Mina was to willingly enter her transport crate and allow the door to be closed and locked).  This was no easy task as Mina had strong, negative associations with the crate due to years of forced entry for veterinary check-ups, weighing and other management needs. Mina’s den in the night house was replaced with her crate.  The trainer captured the behavior by saying “crate” every time she entered the crate.  It took her about one month to enter the crate on command after the behavior was captured. It took almost a year of practice, including closing, locking and opening the door while she was inside, before the behavior was learned in full. Injection training was a less complicated process, although there were some minor issues to deal with along the way.  The first thing that needed to be done was to improve the climbing behavior so that Mina was positioned with her left rear leg pressed against the fence.  Having her climb in the corner of the run was the only way to accomplish this, so the trainer began rewarding her only when she was fully situated there. The day she realized what the trainer was doing, it was as if a light bulb turned on in her head!  It was amazing to see her understand what the trainer wanted from her; she climbed up onto the chain link and scooted her body against the corner of the cage.  It was truly a breakthrough as from this moment forward she consistently performed the behavior correctly and allowed the trainer to begin working on desensitization to the feel of an injection.  Using the end of a pen, the trainer began by lightly touching Mina on the left flank.  While she had no particular response to this, her “Hold” behavior was inconsistent and she began sliding down the fence prematurely. The trainer decided to extinguish that behavior and replace it with a cue for her to climb “down” on command.  This worked magnificently and allowed the trainer to continue desensitizing her to the feel of a pen, syringe tip, blunt needle and finally a sharp needle (Photo 6).  It took a total of six months but on the 11th of August 2011 she was successfully hand injected with a rabies vaccine, using a 19 gauge needle!\r\n\r\n<strong>Challenges and Changes</strong>\r\n\r\nIt took two years of training before Mina consistently performed the injection and crating behaviors, and there were many setbacks along the way.  During the late fall, she went through a natural period of inactivity for approximately two months in which she spent most of the day sleeping.  Her decreased appetite at this time left her with no interest in training. We also experienced problems if we challenged her too much or moved too quickly.  Her frustration was expressed by aggressive vocalizations or refusing to engage in training.  Initially this meant regressing to a more simple behavior and moving forward again in smaller steps, even if this took weeks.  Setbacks like this made it seem as though she was not progressing, especially in the beginning.  However, slowly but surely, we began to see changes in her overall behavior. She started to anticipate training sessions and anytime she heard the door close in the service area, she would immediately wake up and wait for us to let her in for training.  She also began to willingly come inside her night house without the keepers having to use a herding board and her interest in enrichment increased dramatically. Her improved<img class="alignright size-full wp-image-2772" title="mina1" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/mina1.jpg" alt="mina1" width="600" height="423" />temperament has also helped her in recovering from fearful experiences more quickly.\r\n\r\nBefore training began, any sudden or loud noise would send her frantically into a hiding place, hissing and grunting as she went.  In the initial stages of training this was enough for her to end a session and steps had to be taken to ensure there were as few “surprises” as possible.  Today, though she may still react to an unexpected event, she is able to recover within a matter of seconds and continue with what she was doing.\r\n\r\n<strong>Conclusion</strong>\r\n\r\nMina went from fearful, aggressive and reclusive to a confident…\r\n<div><strong><em>For this and much more every month, see Animal Keepers’ Forum. AKF is available only by being a member of AAZK. <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/join">JOIN NOW!</a></em></strong></div>', 'From Fear to Friend: Building Trust Between Keeper and Animal Through Training', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2770-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:15', '2013-10-15 22:49:15', '', 2770, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2770-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3180, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:15', '2013-10-15 22:49:15', 'About the Cover/Information for Contributors<span> </span>\r\n\r\nFrom the President<span> </span>\r\n\r\nThe Scoop<span> </span>\r\n\r\nAn Interview with AAZK Board Member Deana Walz<span> </span>\r\n\r\nComing Events<span> </span>\r\n\r\nNew Members<span> </span>\r\n\r\nCall for Nominations<span> </span>\r\n\r\nManaging a Large Number of Animal Handlers in a Program Animals Setting<span> </span>\r\n\r\nThe Use of Vocal Playback as a Tool for Breeding in Captive Birds<span> </span>\r\n\r\nAsk the Vet<span> </span>\r\n\r\nEnrichment Options: Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Behavioural Enrichment Plan for 2.2 Ring-Tailed Lemurs (<em>Lemur catta</em>) at the Toronto Zoo<span> </span>\r\n\r\nTraining Tales: From Fear to Friend: Building Trust Between Keeper and Animal Through Training<span> </span>\r\n\r\nConservation Station: Local Organic Farming Conserves and Enriches Everybody', 'February 2013', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2768-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:15', '2013-10-15 22:49:15', '', 2768, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2768-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3181, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:15', '2013-10-15 22:49:15', '<em>Carolina Segarra, Animal Conservation &amp; Research Intern\r\nAshley Yates, Animal Keeper III\r\nPalm Beach Zoo\r\nWest Palm Beach, Florida</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>Introduction/Background: </strong>\r\n\r\nThe North American river otter (<em>Lontra canadensis</em>) is an animal that can be found in numerous zoos and aquariums around North America and is a popular exhibit with guests. In the past, this species of otter was distributed from Canada to Mexico and though they once inhabited most of the major waterways in this region, they are now almost exclusively found in Canada, Alaska, California, and along the East coast. The drastic reduction in their numbers is due to the popular sport of hunting them for their fur back in the mid 1900’s (AZA, 2009). Where found in the wild, they usually stay near a water source including freshwater and coastal marine habitats where food is abundant. This species of otter can survive in rivers, lakes, marshes, swamps, and even estuaries. These otters can also tolerate a variety of environments, including both cold and warm latitudes as well as high elevations which allow them to adapt to most captive settings (Dewey &amp; Ellis, 2003). Usually solitary, males and females will socialize during mating season in late winter through early spring. If successful impregnation occurs, the mother will raise the pups in a den. Despite the fact that this species of otter is usually solitary, males have been found to form large groups of eight or more individuals in environments where resources are abundant (World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, n.d.). These large groups have been placed and managed successfully in zoos and aquariums and show the species’ adaptability (AZA, 2009). This study will focus on two separated pairs of otters (1.3) at the Palm Beach Zoo and the effect certain environmental factors have on their interaction with enrichment items and impact on stereotypical behaviors. The otters were categorized as a mating pair (Sully and Rudder) and a female sibling pair (Thelma and Louise). Because otters are semi-aquatic, they vary the time they spend on land and in water and therefore this study will compare the same enrichment items in a mostly aquatic habitat versus a mostly terrestrial habitat to see how each area affects the use of each enrichment item. The goals of this study are to correlate specific factors that will help identify which type of enrichment is most effective and the areas they will be better used in to help decrease abnormal behaviors which could then lead to better welfare for these animals.<img class="alignright size-full wp-image-2717" title="71" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/71.jpg" alt="71" width="444" height="364" />\r\n\r\n<strong>Materials and Methods:</strong>\r\n\r\nThe materials used in this study were a time source (one-minute stop watch, cell-phone or wrist watch) and the observational sheet for recording data.  The enrichment methods that were studied were provided by the keeper, Ashley Yates, who also had the decision of choosing how complex each enrichment would be. A schedule was developed so the otters would get an enrichment method they’ve previously received (labeled “old”) as the control, one day and then an enrichment method that they’d never received, (labeled “new”) the day following each study session for comparison. Each session was over a span of two weeks where the otters received the same old enrichment method in their respective habitat one day, the new enrichment method in that same habitat the next day, and then the following week be given the old enrichment in the opposite habitat and new enrichment in that same habitat the day after. Every two weeks the session was repeated with the next set of enrichments scheduled. During each of the study days, the behaviors were observed in the morning (8:00 AM - 11:30 AM), mid-day (11:31 AM – 1:30 PM) and afternoon (1:31 PM – 4:00 PM) for each pair of otters in their respective habitats. This study took eight weeks, during which a total of four enrichment setups were studied and each otter was observed a total of 720 times…\r\n\r\n<strong><em>For this and much more every month, see Animal Keepers’ Forum. AKF is available only by being a member of AAZK. <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/join">JOIN NOW!</a></em></strong>', 'The Influence Habitat Type and Environmental Enrichments have on the Stereotypic Behaviors of North American River Otters', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2714-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:15', '2013-10-15 22:49:15', '', 2714, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2714-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3182, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:16', '2013-10-15 22:49:16', 'About the Cover/Information for Contributors<span> </span>\r\n\r\nFrom the President<span> </span>\r\n\r\nComing Events<span> </span>\r\n\r\nNew Members<span> </span>\r\n\r\nCall for Papers<span> </span>\r\n\r\nAAZK National Conference Recap<span> </span>\r\n\r\nAAZK Board of Directors Call for Nominations<span> </span>\r\n\r\nInternational Congress of Zoo Keepers: Singapore 2012<span> </span>\r\n\r\nThe Influence Habitat Type and Environmental Enrichments Have on the Stereotypic Behaviors of North American River Otters<span> </span>\r\n\r\nTrees for You and Me<span> </span>\r\n\r\nEnrichment Options: Flying Fox Artists at Work<span> </span>\r\n\r\nLion Fun Days; Conservation Connects Mozambique to Texas<span> </span>\r\n\r\nMy AAZK: A Tale of How This Zoo Keeper Attended an AAZK/AZA Class…FOR FREE!<span> </span>\r\n\r\nTraining Tales: Using Training as a Distraction to Ensure a Low-Stress Knockdown on a Sloth Bear\r\n\r\nAnimal Keepers’ Forum 2012 Index', 'January 2013', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2709-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:16', '2013-10-15 22:49:16', '', 2709, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2709-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3183, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:16', '2013-10-15 22:49:16', '<em>By\r\nCaitlin Capistron\r\nAnimal Keeper I\r\nHonolulu Zoo, Honolulu, HI</em>\r\n\r\n<strong> Introduction and Background</strong>\r\n\r\nFoot problems are a relatively common occurrence in captive rhinoceros, and while vertical nail cracks can resolve on their own, intervention can decrease the healing time, prevent further problems from developing, and provide for a positive training interaction for the animal (Jacobsen, 2002).\r\n\r\nThe Honolulu Zoo houses 1.1 black rhinoceros and recently housed 1.0 white rhinoceros (<em>Ceratotherium simum</em>). The black rhinoceroses are exhibited together year-round in a 1,022 square meter [11,000 square foot] compact dirt yard, and were housed separately overnight in 56 square meter [600 square foot] barns with concrete flooring.  The white rhinoceros was exhibited in a 3,057 square meter [32,900 square foot] compact dirt mixed-species exhibit with 2.2 reticulated giraffe (<em>Giraffa camelopardalis</em>) and 1.1 Grant’s zebra (<em>Equus burchelli</em>), and had access overnight to a 53 square meter [570 square foot] barn with concrete flooring, a 73 square meter [780 square foot] pen with compact dirt, and the exhibit.\r\n\r\nSince acquisition of the male black rhino, Corky, in 1999, he has had periodic foot problems, specifically vertical cracking of the lateral nails. Foot problems have not been noted in the female black rhino, Satsuki, or the male white rhino, Kruger. Treatment of Corky’s feet was opportunistic at best, and involved application of antiseptic solutions. Nail cracks would appear to grow out, though reoccur frequently. When cracks occurred again in June 2010 on the lateral nails of Corky’s front right and rear left feet, the splitting was more extensive, and extended the full length of the nails up to the coronary band (see Photos 1 &amp; 2). Honolulu Zoo Veterinarian Dr. Ben Okimoto consulted with veterinary staff at the White Oak Conservation Center, San Diego Wild Animal Park, and St. Louis Zoo to determine a treatment plan.\r\n\r\n<img class="size-full wp-image-2658 alignleft" title="rhino_feet" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/rhino_feet.jpg" alt="rhino_feet" width="700" height="282" />\r\n\r\nIt was hypothesized that a primary reason that Corky was experiencing foot problems, and the other rhinos were not, was related to Corky’s overnight housing. In contrast to our other two rhinos, Corky defecated in his barn then appeared to pace in his barn overnight, thereby covering his feet in wet fecal matter. Nail cracks can develop when the natural waterproof layer of the hooves (periople) is disrupted by excess moisture or dryness. We believe that excess moisture, in combination with a thinning of the nail walls caused by lying on concrete and compact dirt surfaces, compromised Corky’s nails. Mineral deficiencies were also considered, but because Corky was not yet trained to accept voluntary blood draws, we were unable to pursue this possibility in the short-term.\r\n\r\n<strong>Husbandry and Treatment</strong>\r\n\r\nStarting in November 2010, Corky’s overnight routine was changed. He was given access to one 28 square meter [300 square foot] barn stall, but rather than locking him into the barn, he was given overnight access to the exhibit yard and a 40 square meter [485 square foot] pen with compact sand. It was noted immediately that not only was Corky not pacing overnight in fecal matter in the barn, but also he was calmer overall.\r\n\r\nFor all foot treatments, a minimum of two people was utilized. Usually, a volunteer focused on feeding Corky his daily produce ration while a keeper worked on Corky’s nails. In most cases a third person, usually a volunteer, fed Satsuki at some distance from Corky and attempted to keep her from interrupting with Corky’s treatment. Our set-up to work with the black rhinos consisted of nine meters [30 feet] of vertical bars placed about 0.2 meter [nine inches] apart at the rear of the exhibit (see Photo 3). While we had some success with stationing Satsuki perpendicular to the bars at one end and stationing Corky parallel to the bars at the other end, this arrangement required the rhinos to be in close proximity to one another. Additionally, in order to access both sides of Corky, he was required to turn around and reposition, and brought him in even closer proximity to Satsuki. This often resulted in Satsuki bullying Corky away from the area to monopolize treats and attention. To address this issue, the decision was made to repair a door to a four square meter [41 square feet] chute that up until this point had not been utilized by rhino keeper staff. Once the chute door was repaired, Corky could then enter the chute from the rear of the exhibit, and a set of vertical bars placed 0.3 meter [one foot] apart on both sides would allow staff to access both sides of Corky’s body (see Photo 4). Additionally, since there was no need for Corky to reposition and be near Satsuki, it reduced negative interactions with Satsuki and the overall time the treatment took. While Corky was nervous at first to enter the chute, staff was careful to work at Corky’s pace and keep his experience with the chute a positive one. Once Corky was comfortable entering and stationing calmly in the chute, one person fed Satsuki at one end of the exhibit bars while another two people worked with Corky positioned in the chute.\r\n\r\nOur foot care routine consisted of cleaning the nail cracks at least once daily: rinsing any mud and fecal matter off with water, then flushing the crack with hydrogen peroxide, then flushing the crack with Nolvasan®, then applying Betadine® to the crack and surrounding area. Approximately every two weeks, or as staff time allowed, corrective trimming was used to relieve pressure on the crack and to facilitate its correct growth. Fortunately, one of our Mammal Department supervisors…\r\n<div><strong><em><span>Want to read the rest of this article?  For this and many more fascinating articles every month, see Animal Keepers’ Forum.  AKF is available only by being a member of AAZK. </span><a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/join/">JOIN NOW!</a></em></strong></div>', 'Successful Treatment of Nail Cracks for a Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis)', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2657-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:16', '2013-10-15 22:49:16', '', 2657, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2657-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3184, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:16', '2013-10-15 22:49:16', '<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-378" title="training_tails" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/header_training_tails.jpg" alt="training_tails" width="317" height="68" /></p>\r\n\r\n<em>By\r\nDara Girsch, African Animal Keeper\r\nThe Living Desert Zoo &amp; Gardens\r\nPalm Desert, CA</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>Introduction</strong>\r\n\r\nFor several years, “Frasier,” a 1.0 East African Crowned Crane (<em>Balearica regulorum</em>), has exhibited frequent aggression towards his keepers. These displays would often culminate in Frasier injuring a keeper or himself. The previous method for managing these behaviors was to bring in a tool for protection or restrain Frasier and place him in a holding area. Neither of these methods was especially effective, as Frasier would attack the tool relentlessly or increase the intensity of aggression upon release from holding areas.\r\n\r\nI set out, with a team of two additional keepers, to train Frasier to target to a laser pointer as a method of focusing his attention away from keepers and reduce the number of threatening displays. This became a transition to a routine shifting behavior into a holding area, taking a previously negative situation and positively reinforcing his time in holding. These initial behaviors, coupled with a newfound working relationship between Frasier and myself, led to the ability to begin desensitization and to train station behavior.\r\n\r\n<strong>Process</strong>\r\n\r\nEstablishing the intended behavior of targeting to the laser pointer (Figure 1) was accomplished using basic positive reinforcement techniques. A notable step in eliciting this behavior was to take a step back, literally. When training first began, I was standing directly at the exhibit perimeter. Because male cranes are highly territorial (Ellis et al., 1996), my position at the fence was likely instigating his aggression and his attention was on me, not the laser point. When I began training from several feet away, he instantly focused his attention towards the laser. Researching specifics of crane behavior and accounting for Frasier’s personality allowed me to adapt training methods to his ability, giving a greater probability for success.\r\n\r\nSeveral different colors of lasers were tested to see if Frasier responded more to a certain color. Birds have been hypothesized to see twice as many colors as humans throughout the spectrum, and Gruiformes are known to be able to see into the violet range of wavelengths, down to 406 nm (Odeen and Hastad, 2003). A purple laser (wavelength = 405nm, 5mW) was tested, as well as green (wavelength = 532nm, 5 mW), red-orange (wavelength = 735nm, 5mW) and red (wavelength = 650nm, 5mW). Frasier targeted equally well to all of the colors. The green laser was chosen because it was the brightest for the trainer to see in daylight, to ensure that the trainer knew where it was pointed. In the future, laser colors can be used interchangeably to stimulate visual acuity and sustain novelty.\r\n\r\nThe location of the training sessions was kept consistent, a shady area on exhibit where the laser could most easily be seen, for Frasier and the trainer. Also taken into consideration was the fact that this section of the exhibit was not frequented by keepers, so it could be recognized specifically as a training area.  To begin, with the trainer kneeling several feet away (at a pre-determined point, kept consistent) so as to be non-threatening, the laser was pointed approximately a foot away from Frasier’s’ feet on either side. Once he pecked at it, the laser was immediately turned off as the bridge, a verbal ‘good,’ was given. Frasier was then tossed his reinforcement (crickets or mealworms) through the fence.\r\n\r\nSix weeks were spent gathering initial data: the number of times Frasier targeted per session and the number of aggressive displays he exhibited during each session. The aggressive behavior under scrutiny was the “ruffle-bow,” a low level threat display, “in which the crane elevates its feathers and slowly, at first, ruffles its plumage until at length the whole body is rapidly shaking” (Ellis et al., 1996). Training sessions were kept very short – under a minute. Frasier was required to target to the laser in less than ten seconds, with five attempts per session. This was to accomplish the desired targeting behavior before any frustration or diverted attention could occur that would lead to belligerent behaviors.\r\n\r\nThere was a wide discrepancy in the consistency of executing the targeting behavior between each of the trainers.  Frasier targeted during 100% of the attempts with his primary trainer, and exhibited very few aggressive behaviors – an average of 0.1 aggressive occurrences per session over the six week period. For the second trainer, he targeted during 98% of the attempts, but exhibited the ‘ruffle-bow’ display during every session. For the third trainer, Frasier again showed little aggression but successfully targeted less than 50% of the time. It was known before training began that the levels of aggression from Frasier varied greatly for each trainer, regardless of the situational circumstances. The behaviors and their frequency towards each trainer mirrored those observed during everyday servicing of the exhibit.\r\n\r\nBecause of the variation in successful training and aggression, it was decided that in order to effectively eliminate Frasier’s aggression from affecting keepers, he should be trained to shift into a holding area.\r\n\r\nThe original method for shifting was simply for Frasier to follow the laser point into a designated holding area. Frasier had shown in training sessions (after the initial data were collected) that he would follow the laser point several feet in any direction when the trainer was stationary.  However, he would not follow the laser from across the exhibit; he needed to be directly in front of the trainer before he would initiate targeting.\r\n\r\nThe first several attempts at shifting using a laser pointer (primary trainer only) showed that Frasier would not follow the laser through a doorway. Because he would not<img class="alignright size-large wp-image-2651" title="crane1" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/crane1-588x1024.jpg" alt="crane1" width="411" height="716" /> complete the shifting behavior using the laser as the only cue, several others were attempted. Frasier responded very well to a variety of sensory cues – calling his name, tapping, walking through holding areas, facing him, walking ahead of him. In retrospect, successive approximations could have been used to shift Frasier into the holding area using only the laser. However, the time lapse between the failed attempt to shift with the laser and successfully using other cues was only one day. Once inside, he could be positively reinforced with insects or his normal diet by performing the original target behavior with the laser pointer. He performed the shifting behavior equally well for each of the trainers. While release from holding areas still caused an elevated amount of excited behaviors, immediate aggression upon release was not seen. When training for the shifting behavior began, Frasier proved that the simplest method would not be the most effective. In actuality, various other sensory cues (auditory and visual) became the primary training tools, while the laser became obsolete for the shifting behavior.\r\n\r\nBecause all of the previous training was carried out with a barrier between Frasier and me, desensitization to human contact required…\r\n\r\n<strong><em>For this and much more every month, see Animal Keepers’ Forum. AKF is available only by being a member of AAZK. <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/join">JOIN NOW!</a></em></strong>', 'Behavioral Management of a 1.0 East African Crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum) Through Laser Pointer Training', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2649-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:16', '2013-10-15 22:49:16', '', 2649, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2649-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3185, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:16', '2013-10-15 22:49:16', 'About the Cover/Information for Contributors\r\n\r\nFrom the President\r\n\r\nComing Events\r\n\r\nNew Members\r\n\r\nCall for Papers\r\n\r\nPangolin Poachers Arrested\r\n\r\nAAZK Board of Directors Call for Nominations\r\n\r\nSuccessful Treatment of Nail Cracks for a Black Rhinoceros\r\n\r\nA Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Zoo\r\n\r\nPreventing Injuries Involving Electrical Cords Near Animal Pens\r\n\r\nMy AAZK: International Turtle Conservation\r\n\r\nMy AAZK: AAZK Conferences, Fostering the Wonder Within\r\n\r\nTraining Tales: Behavioral Management of a 1.0 East African Crowned Crane\r\n\r\nRemembering John Stephan Romo', 'December 2012', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2646-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:16', '2013-10-15 22:49:16', '', 2646, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2646-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3186, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:16', '2013-10-15 22:49:16', '<img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-378" title="training_tails" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/header_training_tails-300x64.jpg" alt="training_tails" width="300" height="64" />\r\n\r\n<em>By</em>\r\n<em>Mylisa A. Whipple, Primate Keeper</em>\r\n<em>Saint Louis Zoo</em>\r\n<em>Saint Louis, Missouri</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>Introduction</strong>\r\n\r\nIt can be a challenge to treat any animal that is diagnosed as a diabetic, and non-human primates are no exception.   Treatment can be constrained by a variety of factors such as the environment, social situations, and the personality and temperament of the individual being treated, just to name a few. Every situation is different, and every animal is different.  But across the board, two of the most important things required to successfully treat that animal are to have a well thought out, but flexible training plan and to keep an open line of communication between all the people that are involved in the care and management of that animal including, keepers, veterinary staff, and nutrition staff.\r\n\r\nIn the past few years, keepers at the Saint Louis Zoo have been involved in the training and treatment of two different monkeys, both diagnosed with diabetes.  Though they were different species and their situations and personalities were also quite different, a similar approach was used to treat both of them.  The same flexible shaping plan was even adapted to train them both in order to better treat their diabetes.\r\n\r\n<strong>Case 1: Bozo</strong>\r\n\r\nIn 2005, the Saint Louis Zoo housed 1.4 Hamadryas baboons (<em>Papio hamadryas</em>).  The male, named Bozo, was diagnosed with diabetes.  Keepers had observed Bozo showing signs of weakness when he walked, noticed sticky urine on the floors of the baboon enclosure, and observed the female baboons lapping up puddles of Bozo’s apparently sweet urine.  These observations suggested that something was going on with Bozo’s health and ultimately led to the veterinary work-up that resulted in this diagnosis.  In collaboration with the zoo’s veterinarians and nutritionist, Bozo’s diabetes was originally managed using oral medication and diet.  In order to test his glucose level, Bozo was trained to urinate on cue so that glucose levels could be tested in a sample of his urine.  The shaping plan for this required a keeper to observe Bozo until he urinated and then the behavior was captured using a whistle as a bridge the instant he started to urinate.  He was immediately rewarded with a jackpot item (preferred food item) and the verbal praise, “Good Pee.”  After initially capturing this, the training progressed to calling him into his holding cages and using the verbal cue “Bozo, Pee.” After giving the verbal cue, he was then observed until he urinated, which was then followed immediately with the bridge, a jackpot item, and the verbal praise, “Good Pee.”  Eventually, Bozo made the connection and would visibly try to urinate once he heard the verbal cue “Bozo, Pee.”  The success of this training allowed for regular testing of glucose levels in his urine.\r\n\r\nBased on the progression of Bozo’s symptoms, the veterinarians decided that Bozo needed to start receiving insulin injections in order to manage his diabetes.  Because he was not injection trained, he initially had to be darted with insulin daily.  Injection training of Bozo was started so that he would not have to continue to undergo the stress of being darted for any longer than necessary.\r\n\r\nA squeeze cage was custom built by one of the Zoo’s welders to use for this training.  It was installed as a permanent part of one of the baboons’ holding cages.  The outer dimensions of the squeeze cage were 92 cm in width, 104 cm in height, and 64 cm in depth.   It was composed of a metal\r\n\r\nframe with the front wall, back wall, and ceiling made out of metal chain link fencing material similar to that of the front wall of the existing holding cage.  It had two aluminum doors that could be completely removed when not needed.  The squeeze mechanism was a movable plexi-glass wall with a metal frame that could be pulled using a handle by a keeper from outside of the cage and could be locked into place as needed.\r\n\r\nThe author became Bozo’s primary trainer and was charged with developing a shaping plan that would include squeeze cage-training and injection-training.  After researching examples of squeeze cage and injection-training shaping plans from other institutions and getting advice from other animal trainers, a shaping plan was developed that would work best for the situation and included multiple options that could be used depending on how the training was progressing.\r\n\r\nOnce the shaping plan was approved, Bozo’s training started. The shaping plan included an acclimation period, followed by several training options for how the squeeze cage could be used during the training.  Depending on how training progressed, one or more of these options could be skipped. The first option was to use the squeeze cage as a narrowing tunnel or chute in which the space that he was asked to enter was simply narrowed each time prior to him entering it, until his hip and callosity were close enough to the front wall to begin injection training.  The second option was to be used if he did not want to stay in the narrowed cage for longer periods without being closed in. This option included working towards closing the doors of the squeeze cage on both sides of him. First he would be trained to allow one door to close and then the second door would be added in.  The third option was to be used if the hip and callosity were still not close enough to the front wall. In this third option the training would involve actually working towards using the squeeze mechanism to “squeeze” Bozo into the position needed for the next step of his training. Once proper positioning of Bozo’s hip and callosity was achieved, the final step in the shaping plan, injection-training, would follow.  The injection-training portion consisted of several steps including desensitizing him to the presence of a syringe, touching him with a capped syringe, touching him with needle, poking him with the needle, and then injecting him with saline (in place of insulin).\r\n\r\nThe first step in the training plan, to acclimate the baboon group to the squeeze cage, began in mid-July, 2007. In Bozo’s case, the second and third options of the shaping plan were never needed, and the training process went rather quickly. By the end of August, Bozo was accepting hand injections of insulin.\r\n\r\nUp to this point, the squeeze cage and injection-training was only used to give Bozo his insulin injections.  Urine-training was the method being used to obtain glucose measurements.  However, Bozo began to have trouble with the urine-training (he was having difficulty urinating on cue even though he was clearly trying).  Because of this and the lack of accuracy with urine glucose tests it was decided that his squeeze cage-training could also be used to obtain blood samples for blood glucose testing.  This method of sampling would be a more accurate measurement of his glucose levels.  Blood samples were obtained by using a needle to lance the skin of his callosity and then testing a drop of his blood with a blood glucose meter.  Unfortunately, the test strip of the blood glucose meter was too short to reach the drop of blood on his skin, so the blood drop had to be collected on the plastic sleeve of the syringe in order to be tested.  By the end of September, his blood glucose was successfully tested using this method.  At the beginning of October, these behaviors were transferred to secondary trainers.\r\n\r\nBozo’s training was a success for both the trainers and for Bozo, in that it made it easier to treat his diabetes.  As mentioned earlier, the animal’s situation and personality<img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-2629" title="insulin_inject" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/insulin_inject-300x262.jpg" alt="insulin_inject" width="300" height="262" /> can affect how its training progresses.  Fortunately, Bozo was the dominant animal in his group, he was already comfortable being separated from the girls for short periods of time, and he was a highly food-motivated individual.  Because he was a diabetic, the typical rewards we used for him that were nutritionist-approved included the limited fruit from his diet and a small amount of mixed nuts or peanuts.  Some sugar-free treats were tried as jackpot reward items, but Bozo did not like them so the fruit portion of his diet was used as his jackpot items.  Because Bozo was eager to train for these items, his training progressed even more smoothly.\r\n\r\nIn March 2008, Bozo started showing signs of weakness in that he was having trouble walking.  He was immobilized for blood work and given fluids.  In order to prevent him from having to be immobilized for fluids daily, attempts were made to give Bozo fluids subcutaneously using his trained squeeze cage behavior.  The plan was to have a veterinary technician and one of Bozo’s trainers work together to get him into his normal training position and then administer the fluids subcutaneously.  Bozo was amazing and allowed fluids to be given in this manner for several days.  Unfortunately, despite these efforts Bozo’s health continued to decline and it was decided that Bozo should be humanely euthanized on April 15th, 2008.  Because Bozo had been an amazing animal that loved to train, he accepted an injection for anesthesia in the squeeze cage just as if he was being trained for his insulin.\r\n\r\nIt was not stressful at all, but rather calm and normal for him.  Once anesthetized, the veterinarian was able to humanely euthanize him.  The training program had successfully prolonged and improved his quality of life.\r\n\r\n<strong>Case 2: Ike</strong>\r\n\r\nThe 4.0 lion-tailed macaques (<em>Macaca silenus</em>) housed at the Saint Louis Zoo were moved to the exhibit that once housed the baboons in January 2011.  Because they were an aging group and the squeeze cage was located in one of their holding cages, the squeeze mechanism would be a valuable tool in helping with future medical procedures.  Acclimation to the squeeze cage began in March with the goal of working towards injection training each of the macaques.\r\n\r\nThe shaping plan from Bozo’s training was easily adapted for this new training endeavor.  However, one of the lion-tailed macaques, Ike, was diagnosed as a diabetic in May. The keepers had noticed sticky, dried urine on the exhibit floor.  A urine sample from Ike was tested with a urine glucose test strip and the results showed high glucose values.  The diagnosis of diabetes followed a veterinary work up.  As with Bozo, it was decided to try and treat Ike using oral medication and diet first.  It also became a priority to get him squeeze cage and injection-trained to help with his treatment.\r\n\r\nIke was already used to being separated from the other members of his group and because of the training that was already started he was used to entering the squeeze cage at a fairly narrow width.  From this point, training continued following the same shaping plan that had been used with Bozo in the past.\r\n\r\nIke’s shaping plan once again included several options for how the squeeze cage could be used during the training, and these options could be taken or skipped depending on how the training progressed.  Starting with the first option, Ike was asked to enter the cage at narrowing depths until it was as narrow as it could be, yet still allow him to enter the squeeze cage comfortably.  However, because Ike’s hips are much narrower than that of a baboon, both the second and the third options in the training plan had to be used.\r\n\r\nThe second option included steps working towards closing Ike into the squeeze cage.  The steps involved putting the doors back on the cage, then working towards closing one door while he was in the cage, then closing both doors while he was in the cage, and finally lengthening the amount of time he was closed in the cage.  The third option included steps working towards actually squeezing the cage down so that his hip and callosity area could be easily reached by the trainer for both lancing and injections.  The steps for this included getting Ike used to the movement of the squeeze mechanism by narrowing the area he was in by small increments, and lengthening the time he was “squeezed.”  Once Ike was desensitized to the squeeze and his body in the correct position, progress could be made towards the final steps in the shaping plan.  This included lancing/injection-training for both blood glucose testing and insulin injections.\r\n\r\nBy the end of September, Ike allowed his blood glucose to be tested.  By mid-October, he was reliably allowing his blood glucose to be tested daily.  This allowed for a secondary trainer to be trained to obtain blood glucose measurements from Ike as well.  By mid-November Ike was accepting injections with saline (in place of insulin).  This behavior was transferred to the secondary trainer and soon after, other primate keepers were trained to be secondary trainers as well.  It was important that several keepers were able to train Ike so that blood glucose measurements could be taken daily and that injections could be done daily if needed in the future.  Because of the importance of consistency in training, a protocol was written that included the steps to Ike’s training, the schedule for his daily training and medications, and any other important information regarding his treatment and training.  This protocol was posted near the squeeze cage so that it could be easily referred to and updated as needed.\r\n\r\nAs with Bozo, Ike’s situation, personality, and preferences were added components that had to be considered when planning his training.  Ike was the second most dominant animal in his group and unlike Bozo he was not as trusting of keepers.  But like Bozo, he was a food-motivated individual.  Another difference between Bozo and Ike was that Ike liked sugar free treats, so his nutritionist-approved rewards for training consisted of a small amount of peanuts, the fruit from his diet, and sugar free jack pot items including red licorice, Hershey’s York Peppermint Patties® and a variety of flavors of sugar-free powder drinks.\r\n\r\nA further complication that did not occur with Bozo was that Ike started developing cataracts, which occurred after he had already been training for some time.  Training had to be adjusted slightly for this because the cataract in his right eye was worse than in his left.  It seemed that Ike preferred to have his left side facing the trainer during training sessions.\r\n\r\nAt the present time, Ike’s diabetes has been managed with diet and oral medication.  But, if Ike ever needs to start receiving insulin injections, it can be done right away because he has already been injection-trained.  The keeper staff keeps track of…\r\n\r\n<strong><em>For this and much more every month, see Animal Keepers’ Forum. AKF is available only by being a member of AAZK. <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/join">JOIN NOW!</a></em></strong>', 'Using Training to Help Treat Diabetes in Non-human Primates: The Importance of a Flexible Shaping Plan and Good Communication for Training Success.', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2628-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:16', '2013-10-15 22:49:16', '', 2628, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2628-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3187, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:16', '2013-10-15 22:49:16', 'About the Cover/Information for Contributors<span> </span>\r\n\r\nFrom the President<span> </span>\r\n\r\nComing Events\r\n\r\nNew Members<span> </span>\r\n\r\nCall for Papers<span> </span>498\r\n\r\nDiabetes Mellitus in Zoos<span> </span>\r\n\r\nAAZK Board of Directors Call for Nominations<span> </span>\r\n\r\nManagement of a Diabetic Golden-Bellied Mangabey<span> </span>\r\n\r\nSuccessful Management of a Diabetic Kinkajou<span> </span>\r\n\r\nTraining Tales: Helping Treat Diabetes in Non-human Primates<span> </span>\r\n\r\nDiabetes Management in a Troop of Ring-tailed Lemurs<span> </span>\r\n\r\nUse of Voluntary Restraint for Glucose Testing and Insulin Therapy <span> </span>\r\n\r\nResearch in Practice<span> </span>\r\n\r\nConservation Station', 'November 2012', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2622-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:16', '2013-10-15 22:49:16', '', 2622, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2622-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3188, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:16', '2013-10-15 22:49:16', '<strong><em>Hey Doc!  What exactly is “lumpy jaw” and what can I do about it as a keeper?  ─ Animal Keeper, Great Lakes Region </em></strong>\r\n\r\n“Lumpy Jaw” is a complex, infectious process that often results in debilitation and death. It is primarily encountered in macropods and antelope. There are multiple factors involved in its genesis; if there were only one or two, it surely would have been eliminated long ago. Despite significant work on it over the last 40 years, it remains one of the most common problems of macropods and certain antelope in captivity. It is by no means an easy problem to conquer.\r\n\r\n“Lumpy Jaw” gets its name from its gross, physical appearance of jaw swelling, specifically either nodular or multi-nodular bony and/or soft tissue growth (as opposed to “bottle jaw” which denotes sub-mandibular edema, which also causes swelling but has entirely different causes and treatments) which contain numbers of heavily encapsulated, necrotic areas.6,7,14 It is also sometimes called necrobacillosis, because of the common involvement of <em>Fusobacterium necrophorum</em> (formerly <em>Sphaerophorus necrophorus</em>) and <em>Bacteriodes sp.</em> bacteria in the lesions.4,6,14  <img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-2592" title="kangaroo1" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/kangaroo1-300x275.jpg" alt="kangaroo1" width="300" height="275" />\r\n\r\nThis syndrome (a constellation of clinical signs which can have multiple different causes) can develop secondary to several different inciting events.  Clinical signs often begin before the classic “lumpy jaw” swellings are even noticeable. Often an observant animal keeper will notice a decrease in feeding, dropping of feed, chewing only on one side of the mouth, or excessive salivation.13 Closer examination of the mouth by either the animal keepers or the veterinarian may reveal the typical foul aroma of necrotic tissue.\r\n\r\nThere are multiple bacteria that commonly infect both the soft-tissue and the bone of animals with “lumpy jaw.” Although any common oral bacteria may infect the tissue, most frequently there are anaerobes, or micro-aerophilic bacteria such as Fusobacterium necrophorum, Bacteroides sp., Nocardia asteroides, Actinomyces bovis, and <em>Nocardia macropodidarium</em>.2,6,7,8, 10, 14   In hoofed animals, <em>Actinomyces pyogenes</em> (formerly <em>Corynebacterium pyogenes</em>) is the most common organism. Secondary invaders are often <em>Pseudomonas sp</em>., <em>Proteus sp.</em>, and <em>Staph. sp.</em> 7 These organisms vary widely in their antibiotic susceptibility; often combinations of two antibiotics are necessary to provide coverage against the different species causing the infection. However, despite the most sophisticated and proactive clinical therapy, treatment failures and eventual euthanasia are common.\r\n\r\nClinically, a thorough physical exam and dental radiographs (often lateral oblique films are most informative) will often indicate the exact type of “lumpy jaw” and possibly its origin. It can present in many forms. Often, in kangaroos and wallabies, apical abscess will develop at the tip of the root of the lower incisors. This is usually, but not always, the result of wear or breakage of the distal tips of the incisors, leading to pulp exposure, infection, and subsequent abscessation. However, sometimes dental calculus buildup on the incisors will lead to periodontal disease and infection of the soft tissues surrounding the teeth, eventually spreading into the bone of the mandible as well.\r\n\r\nSometimes, on oral exam it will be obvious that there was a puncture wound of the gingiva, leading to local abscess formation, and eventually infection of the bone. Indeed, sometimes plant matter is found impacted in them.6  On other occasions, dental calculus building up around the gumline will be the obvious cause of periodontal disease, and subsequent infection of the soft tissues and eventually osteomyelitis of the jaw. Indeed, in most cases “lumpy jaw” usually begins periodontally.14 Draining tracts can be cultured to determine the organisms involved, and both an aerobic and anaerobic culture should be performed.  Often, the pre-molars are the first to become infected.  Indeed, clinically, it often appears that the infection is secondary to the pre-molars not being shed normally with age, as is seen in nature. 3,9  These infections surrounding loose pre-molars are the easiest to treat, responding well to extraction and broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy.\r\n\r\nIn artiodactyls, infection of the bone with draining sub-mandibular tracts is often seen. Extraction, in combination with broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, can be curative, or at least allow for stabilization of the patient while the osteomyelitis is combated with long-term antibiotic therapy. An alternative to dental extraction, establishment of drainage, regular flushing with antimicrobial solutions, antibiotic therapy, and apicoectomy and retrograde endodontics and filling of the tooth roots has been proposed;6 however, even these sophisticated methods are often unsuccessful.  Chronic,  inflammation from “lumpy jaw” has been implicated in the development of reactive amyloidosis in some hoofed animals.12\r\n\r\nOver the last 40 years, there have been at least two different methods of dietary management attempted. The first was to eliminate any sort of tough material in the diet, which might cause gingival puncture and subsequent infection;11,13,14 These animals were often fed many kinds of soft foods. Another method of dietary management was to increase browse and provide as much good-quality forage (either high quality grass hay or alfalfa) to allow for as much gingival stimulation and natural  “flossing” of the teeth as  possible, and to contribute to normal shedding of premolars. 2,4,9 As one author put it, “diet should be fibrous enough to maintain good oral health, so that accumulation of dental calculus is minimal, and the gums remain firm, but not so coarse as to damage the oral mucosa.” 4\r\n\r\nMy personal clinical experience, as well as epidemiological evidence gathered in the late 1970’s,11 supports the value of good quality forage and fibrous browse in <img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2593" title="wallaby" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/wallaby-274x300.jpg" alt="wallaby" width="274" height="300" />reducing the incidence of lumpy jaw. While both groups of animals (those on only soft foods and those fed mostly forage and browse) did develop dental infections, my “clinical impression” is that the animals on a strictly “soft food” diet developed it at a younger age. Thus, kangaroos and wallabies on soft diets were developing it at five or six years of age, whereas those on browse and high quality forage would get it at eight or nine years of age.\r\n\r\nIn addition to diet, many clinicians believe that crowding, and subsequent fecal contamination of the paddock contributes to high bacteria counts on the food, and subsequently a higher incidence of infection.2,4,10,13 Therefore, many veterinarians recommend reducing crowding and making efforts to reduce fecal contamination of the paddock.1,2,10 Tractors fitted with commercial vacuum devices to remove fecal pellets from fields, as have been used to facilitate parasite control in other species, would seem to have utility in this regard, as would feeding from hay-racks or bowls rather than off the ground or floor.\r\n\r\nOne recent and interesting theory is that diet may contribute to hyper-phosphatemia in these animals. 5 One study sought to determine if offering timothy hay to the animals while on the grassy exhibit would encourage extra foraging, saliva production, and improved calcium to phosphorus ratios.5 Although intriguing, not enough clinical data has been gathered to support or refute this theory, although it remains an interesting question. This theory does not, however, account for the clinically observed development of periodontal disease prior to the beginning of bone resorption in most cases.\r\n\r\nRoutine oral examinations, and prophylactic scaling of the teeth would likely help to reduce the incidence of “lumpy jaw” in any herd. Similarly, attention to diet, and provision of a good quality grass hay or alfalfa, and minimizing soft foods such as fruit, which may contribute to dental calculus formation and gingivitis will also help. Similarly, making sure that forage and browse does not contain sharp weeds and stems will diminish the chances of oral punctures inciting lumpy jaw.\r\n\r\nIn some countries (such as Australia) vaccines are available to protect against <em>Fusobacterium necrophorum</em>, and clinicians from those countries report that vaccination does help, too. Finally, routine examinations and dental prophylaxis to remove calculus buildup, as well as to detect and treat this problem in its early stages, can also assist in reducing (although probably not completely eliminating) morbidity and mortality from “lumpy jaw.”\r\n\r\nThe animal keeper can…\r\n\r\n<strong><em>For this and much more every month, see Animal Keepers’ Forum. AKF is available only by being a member of AAZK. <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/join">JOIN NOW!</a></em></strong>', 'Ask the Vet!', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2590-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:16', '2013-10-15 22:49:16', '', 2590, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2590-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3189, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:16', '2013-10-15 22:49:16', '<em>Julie Tougas(1) and Helene Caron (2)</em>\r\n\r\n<em>1 Curator of the reptile, amphibian and fish collection, Ecomuseum zoo. 21125 chemin Sainte-Marie, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue (Québec), H9X 3Y7. julie.tougas@ecomuseum.ca</em>\r\n\r\n<em>2 Education Program Coordinator, Ecomuseum zoo. 21125 chemin Sainte-Marie, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue (Québec), H9X 3Y7. helene.caron@ecomuseum.ca</em>\r\n\r\nThe Ecomuseum zoo is a small, CAZA-accredited institution located in Québec, Canada. The zoo is managed by the Saint-Lawrence Valley Natural History Society whose mission focuses on education, research and conservation. Through this three-pronged approach, the Society fosters an appreciation and understanding of the physical and biological characters of the regional flora and fauna. Over the years, the Ecomuseum zoo has developed an extensive onsite and offsite educational program. The zoo’s onsite activities will expose over 20,000 children to the wonderful world of animals. Moreover, the zoo’s zoologist-educators will have the opportunity to influence the lives of over 6,500 children during the 280 offsite presentations scheduled every year. The zoo offers several different offsite presentations, covering general topics such as biodiversity, to more specific topics such as birds of prey or amphibians.\r\n\r\nWith its living collection of wildlife species serving a dual role as both ambassador and catalyst, the Ecomuseum offers unmatched learning experiences for both children and adults. At the zoo, we have a special appreciation for turtles. Live education turtles have become stellar ambassadors, travelling daily with our educators to offsite events and playing key roles for visitors during our onsite guided tours. Over the course of a one-year period, a turtle is presented during each of our over 900 scheduled onsite guided tours providing visitors with the opportunity to touch a live turtle’s carapace. Our educators will also present live turtles in approximately 60% of offsite presentations.\r\n\r\nSeveral factors combine to make turtles a beneficial addition to any presentation; namely their charismatic appeal, their gentle behaviour and the ease of transport. It should be noted however that the use of live turtles also presents several challenges such as: the public’s awareness that turtles can carry Salmonella sp., housing requirements and animal acquisition. In this paper, we explore and review the advantages and challenges that we have associated with the use of live turtles within our educational program. We will also describe the special care and considerations needed for the care of our education turtles. This article will not be discussing, nor debating, the advantages of live animals within any educational program.\r\n\r\n<strong>Why turtles? </strong>\r\n\r\nUnlike snakes which carry very negative appeal (Mullin and Seigel, 2009), we believe that turtles benefit from a social charismatic appeal within the general public. Our onsite presentations have supported this hypothesis as these events include interactions with both a snake and a turtle. Numerous occasions of negative responses have been observed in the presence of the snake. This fear is unfortunately reflected by the accompanying children. The presence of the turtle however created both excitation and curiosity in both adults and children. Without fear, curiosity permits participants to remain receptive to learning about the biology and conservation of turtles and of reptiles in general. As a result of the public’s openness to learn, turtles become an ideal taxon to use when educating about biodiversity, evolution and the food chain.\r\n\r\nAn education turtle, when properly acclimated to its routine, can remain calm when surrounded by a large group of people. This calmness can be interpreted in an anthropomorphic and positive manner by the public; they feel as if the turtle is happy to be held and touched. This interpretation contradicts the common misconception that zoos and aquariums are exploiters of animals (Hutchins et al., 2003). In addition, turtles remain an excellent choice when there is desire to offer the public the chance to touch a live animal. A turtle’s solid carapace and scale-covered limbs (although the head, tail and limbs are not regularly touched) offer excellent protection. The risk of physical trauma related to touching remains therefore low. Furthermore, the turtle’s ability to enter its carapace, as a form of refuge, offers the handler insight related to the turtle’s stress level and he/she can react appropriately by concluding that part of the presentation. Such protective behaviour, if displayed, can also be indicative of post-presentation physical discomfort which may or may not be combined with anorexia (unstressed turtles are always hungry!).\r\n\r\nThe turtle’s morphology facilitates its transport; its shell and scaled limbs offer a high level of protection from abrasions. Finally, the use of live turtles during presentations can help dispel four widely held misconceptions, namely: that all turtles can hide in their shell, that they can crawl out of their shell (this point can be further explained by the use of a naturalised carapace), that the carapace is indestructible and that turtles are slow!\r\n\r\nA special note in regards to the use of indigenous species: The Saint-Lawrence Valley area includes the natural distribution range of eight species of freshwater turtles. Our experiences show that much of the local population is unaware that turtles exist in the area (especially those living in urban centers). The use of indigenous species will therefore promote awareness of our local biodiversity, while also creating an emotional connection when discussing conservation issues. This association and sensitivity is compounded if participants with heightened awareness were to observe a turtle in a wild, yet local, setting.\r\n\r\n<strong>Challenges</strong>\r\n\r\nThe use of live turtles can also present several challenges. One of the biggest and most notable issues relates to the transmission of <em>Salmonella sp</em>. It has been found that turtles may be infected at a rate between 12.1% and 85% (Mader, 2006). It has been shown however that a healthy, un-stressed animal is less likely to shed the bacteria (Gray, 2011). It is recommended that a simple hand sanitization after touching a turtle can prevent infection (Gray, 2011). In consideration of these facts, our turtle interaction sessions are always followed by hand washing or hand sanitization. The participants are informed of the reason behind these practices. The chances of contamination are further reduced by ensuring cleanliness in both the turtle’s temporary and permanent enclosures.\r\n\r\nThis does however bring forth a second issue that arose: housing. We must ensure that we have enough animals from each species to complete the possible repetition of a presentation in a same day or same time period. This has resulted in the need to keep three to five individuals of each species represented in each presentation topic. There are 27 education turtles housed at the zoo, representing seven species of indigenous freshwater turtles. The genders are kept separately for two essential reasons: first, is to prevent unplanned reproduction, second, and most importantly, is to remove any stresses caused by reproductive behaviour. Males from many species, such as the North American Wood Turtle (<em>Glyptemys insculpta</em>) or the Spotted Turtle (<em>Clemmys guttata</em>), can be very persistent and exhausting to female tank mates, but as well be very territorial and aggressive towards male tank mates. In the case of these species, and most others kept at the zoo, all males must be individually housed, but females may be kept communally. For this reason, and despite the fact that turtle species native to the Saint-Lawrence Valley are relatively small in size, many tanks are required to house all our turtles.\r\n\r\nTransportation of the turtles, as mentioned above, can be considered an advantage due to their scales and carapace, but their ectothermic metabolism can cause difficulties when transporting in colder climates. The turtle’s ideal body temperature must be maintained throughout transport in order to maintain an active immune system and to promote a healthy state. We have resolved this issue by constructing insulated transport boxes. Should the need arise, the temperature within these boxes can be increased with the addition of supplemental hot water bottles.\r\n\r\nA final challenge, which may or may not be applicable to other institutions, is the acquisition of turtles. Our specimens are acquired through various methods. We offer refuge to rehabilitated and confiscated animals, but our priority is to acquire captive-bred individuals through inter-zoo transfers or through captive hatching within our facility. As a result of careful planning during recent years, we are pleased to state that our captive reproduction program is almost self-sustaining. The captive reproduction of our education turtles permits us to affect the genders (in most species) of our new generation of education turtles, by incubation temperature manipulation. We aim for high female ratio to address the housing challenges mentioned previously. Captive reproduction also permits us to work with individuals at a very young age during our training/desensitisation program (which will be explained later in this article). One disadvantage to captive reproduction vs. acquiring adult animals is that the young turtles need to attain a certain size before they can be transported safely and manipulated daily, in order to prevent damage to their delicate, un-calcified carapace.\r\n\r\n<strong>Not all are born to educate!</strong>\r\n\r\nTurtles exhibit a variety of behaviours which may or may not make them ideal education turtle candidates. It has been shown that regular handling can physiologically affect turtles (Cabanac and Bernieri, 2000). We want to ensure that our selected education turtles demonstrate positive behavioural tendencies which may reduce any <img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-2599" title="turtle" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/turtle-300x207.jpg" alt="turtle" width="300" height="207" />negative physiological responses. Some turtles are curious, alert and very stimulated by movement around them, while some turtles exhibit the opposite characteristics. Some can be very shy, scared and can be affected negatively by too much environmental stimuli. The selection of our education turtles is made based on an initial evaluation…\r\n\r\n<strong><em><span>Want to read the rest of this article?  For this and many more fascinating articles every month, see Animal Keepers’ Forum.  AKF is available only by being a member of AAZK. </span><a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/join/">JOIN NOW!</a></em></strong>', 'The Turtles of the Education Program: Strong Ambassadors for the Ecomuseum Zoo.', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2586-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:16', '2013-10-15 22:49:16', '', 2586, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2586-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3190, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:16', '2013-10-15 22:49:16', '', 'October 2012', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2581-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:16', '2013-10-15 22:49:16', '', 2581, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2581-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3191, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:16', '2013-10-15 22:49:16', '<em>By Ashley Roth, Hoofed Stock Keeper\r\nHouston Zoo, Inc., Houston, TX</em>\r\n\r\nOn 24 June 2012, the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, located near the Epulu station in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ituri Forest, was attacked by a group of poachers known as Simba rebels. They were seeking revenge on the Institute in the Congo for Conservation of Nature (ICCN), whose headquarters are based at the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, for recently shutting down their illegal poaching and mining activities. The outcome of this attack was tragic, leaving six people dead. Everything of value, from computers to vehicles were stolen or burned. All food and medical supplies were taken, leaving the village with nothing to eat.  The fourteen Okapis stationed at the reserve, serving as ambassadors for the country’s flagship species were killed. Over 30 villagers from Epulu were taken hostage to assist the poachers in transporting the stolen goods. Fortunately most of the Okapi Conservation Project’s (OCP) staff and locals were able to escape into the forest unharmed.  Also, the villagers taken hostage were released and are beginning to return to the village.\r\n\r\nIn response to the crisis at OCP, Houston Zoo, Inc. with assistance from the Greater Houston Chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers (GHCAAZK) wanted to plan an emergency fundraiser.  The Houston Zoo committed to assisting the OCP by any means necessary. Due to the urgent nature and time sensitivity of this crisis, it was dire to act as quickly as possible. The decision was made to plan and implement an Okapi Crisis Relief fundraiser to raise money to be sent as emergency aid to the project.\r\nThe goal of the Okapi Crisis Relief was to raise monetary support to be sent to the OCP.  Additionally, the Houston Zoo wanted to increase community awareness and knowledge, not only about okapis but the true wildlife heroes that risk their lives on a daily basis to protect species and their habitats.\r\n\r\nThe Houston Zoo regularly supports a wide range of conservation efforts and organizations, but has not been faced with such an immense crisis with a short timeframe for fundraising. Generally several months of planning would go into preparing for such events as the Okapi Crisis Relief, but due to the nature of this emergency, several months was not realistic to offer monetary aid. The Houston Zoo is lucky enough to have a devoted conservation department that worked diligently alongside with hoofed stock keepers and the marketing/graphics departments, with assistance from the rest of the zoo, and GHCAAZK to make this event happen. From the initial planning meeting to organizing supplies, education, and promotional materials, the Okapi Crisis Relief was put together in three days.\r\n\r\nThe conservation department’s connections with the OCP initially sparked the idea to provide assistance to the project. A representative from the department organized a meeting with hoofed stock, special events, marketing, and graphics departments. The decision was made to host the conservation event on Sunday, 1 July 2012. A donation page was immediately set up on the zoo’s website; including information about the project and crisis updates from the Congo. The crisis and fundraising event was promoted via the internet using Facebook, Twitter, and an e-mail campaign which included over 50,000 zoo members and donors.  A painting done by one of our resident okapis was put on eBay to be auctioned off. Our marketing and graphics department quickly designed banners that were placed throughout the zoo with QR<img class="alignright size-full wp-image-2573" title="okapi1" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/okapi1.jpg" alt="okapi1" width="433" height="573" /> codes, bringing guests directly to the donation page. Local newspapers ran a story about the zoo’s relief efforts and local news stations covered the event.\r\n\r\nIn preparation for the Okapi Crisis Relief event, the GHCAAZK donated time and supplies. The day before the event, members gathered to make okapi buttons to be sold. Okapi masks were cut out for kids to color and wear the day of the event.\r\n\r\nTo raise money, several different tables were stationed throughout the zoo, with the main table set-up in front of the zoo’s okapi exhibits. Merchandise included: “I love okapis” and “Okapi Crisis Relief” buttons, conservation bracelets, paintings done by some of the zoo’s animals, magnets, finger puppets, stuffed animals, Wildlife Heroes books, and conservation snare art, to name a few. Raffle tickets were sold for a chance to win a behind the scenes tour to meet one of the zoo’s resident okapis. The okapi table highlighted the conservation efforts of the OCP and the risks the staff and locals take every day to protect the Okapi Wildlife Reserve. Volunteers set-up a biological facts table to allow guests a hands-on learning opportunity. Included on the table were an okapi skull and an animal pelt.  To involve some of the younger guests, a crafts table was set-up for children to make okapi masks and decorate an okapi coloring page. Face painting was also offered at the main entrance.\r\n\r\nMany staff and volunteers donated their time…\r\n\r\n<strong><em>For this and much more every month, see Animal Keepers’ Forum.  AKF is available only by being a member of AAZK. <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/join">JOIN NOW!</a></em></strong>', 'Express Crisis Relief', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2571-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:16', '2013-10-15 22:49:16', '', 2571, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2571-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3192, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:16', '2013-10-15 22:49:16', '<em>By Jennifer Ireland, Animal Management Supervisor\r\nand Terry Webb,  Former Curator of Mammals*\r\nNorth Carolina Zoological Park, Asheboro, NC\r\n*currently Collections Manager at WCS/Prospect Park Zoo</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>Abstract:</strong>\r\n\r\nOn 2 August 2010 a primiparous chimpanzee at the North Carolina Zoo gave birth to a healthy infant.  Maternal competence was questionable as improper positioning of the infant prevented nursing.  On Days 1 and 2 of the infant’s life, the mother was anesthetized and the infant was allowed to nurse.  On Days 3 through 5 zoo keepers were able to periodically bottle feed through caging without the mother interfering.  On Day 6 the decision was made to remove the infant for hand-rearing as bottle feeding through the cage front became unreliable and required considerable cooperation from the mother.\r\n\r\nThe infant chimpanzee was put on a scheduled feeding regime consisting of human infant formula.   Consumption, fecal output, and daily weights were recorded.  Adjustments to the amount and type of formula offered were made based on consumption, fecal output, weight, behavior, and social and behavioral milestones.\r\n\r\nTraditionally, hand-reared chimpanzee infants are introduced to adults between six and 18 months of age.  With the permission of the Chimpanzee Species Survival Plan (SSP®) of the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), plans were made for introduction at approximately four months.   Physical development and mobility of the infant were the two factors that determined if the infant was ready.   Traditional methods for food introduction and feeding schedules were accelerated.\r\n\r\n<strong>Introduction</strong>\r\n\r\nChimpanzees have frequently been hand-reared (i.e. reared by humans) in research facilities and/or zoological institutions, though the frequency of hand-rearing has greatly reduced over the past 50 years due to improved husbandry practices (Porton and Niebruegge, 2006).   Historically, hand-rearing has occurred for various reasons including: maternal incompetence, medical concerns, aggression towards the infant by the mother or conspecifics, death of the mother, rearing so that the animal was tractable for shows, educational presentations, or research, and the popularity of nursery exhibits with the public.\r\n\r\nIn AZA, accredited zoos’ female chimpanzees are given every opportunity to raise their offspring.  Only in the cases of maternal incompetence, aggression, or significant health issues are infants pulled for hand-rearing.   If total neglect or abuse is not present, institutions are encouraged to allow the mother and infant to stay together for 72 hours prior to making the decision to hand-rear (AZA Ape TAG, 2010).  Infants can survive these 72 hours without nursing (Rogers and Davenport, 1970).  Maternal care is learned and can improve with practice, so this time allows the mother and infant time to develop proficiencies.\r\n\r\nResearch has shown that even chimpanzees hand-reared in socially and environmentally complex nursery settings show higher levels of abnormal behaviors (Maki, Fritz, and England, 1993; Bloomsmith and Haberstroh, 1995) and a greater chance of developing non-breeding behaviors or maternal incompetence as adults (King and Mellen, 1994).  In order to encourage the development of a normal behavioral repertoire, chimpanzees that cannot be mother-reared should be peer-reared and/or integrated with conspecifics at an early age.  The SSP® Care Manual for Chimpanzees suggests that socialization back to the mother should occur within six months or to a surrogate by 18 months (AZA Ape TAG, 2010).\r\n\r\nIn developing a hand-rearing plan for chimpanzee infants it is therefore necessary to take both behavioral and nutritional factors into account.  When the North Carolina Zoo was recently faced with the task of hand-rearing a chimpanzee infant we carefully considered the need to socialize the infant with conspecifics.  The high degree of similarity between humans and chimpanzees allows for the relatively straight forward adaptation of human infant diets to the raising of chimpanzees.  However, given the need to integrate the infant with adult chimpanzees at an early age, we accelerated some of the traditional timelines for diet presentation in order to prepare the young chimp for reintroductions to the troop.\r\n\r\n<strong>Hand-rearing Nutrition Overview</strong>\r\n\r\nChimpanzees are humans’ closest, living relative, with similarities in physiology as well as growth and development.  As a result nutritional and feeding recommendations for humans can be adapted to chimpanzees with relative ease.  In fact, prior to 2003 it was recommended that the human recommended daily allowance (RDA) tables be consulted when approximating chimpanzee nutritional requirements (Fulk, Loomis, and Garland, 1992). Currently, the specific nutrient requirements for chimpanzees are defined and are available in the book Nutrient Requirements of Nonhuman Primates (National Research Council, 2003)\r\n\r\nIn 1985, Fritz, Ebert, and Carland outlined the nutritional management of hand-reared chimpanzees at the Primate Foundation of Arizona in Tempe, AZ. This information is used as the basis for current recommendations for the feeding of infant chimpanzees that are being hand-reared (Porton, 1992).   These recommendations provide suggestions on the frequency of feeding, volume, supplements, when to introduce solids, and weaning, which closely match dietary recommendations for human infants.\r\n\r\n<strong>Hand-rearing and Dietary Practices at the North Carolina Zoological Park</strong>\r\n\r\nOn 2 August 2010 a primiparous chimpanzee at the North Carolina Zoo gave birth to a full-term, healthy infant (242 days after conception).  Maternal competence was questionable as improper positioning of the infant prevented nursing (Photo I).  On Days 1 and 2 of the infant’s life no bouts of nursing were observed and the infant appeared weak. The mother was anesthetized on both days and the infant was allowed to nurse.  Through cooperation with the mother, on Days 3 through 5 zoo keepers were able to periodically bottle feed the infant through the mesh caging.  During these feeding sessions the mother brought the infant to the cage front and zoo keepers used a nipple extension to offer it Pedialyte® and/or a human infant formula.  Unfortunately, cooperation with the mother declined during Days 4 through 5 preventing reliable feeding.  The mother also began leaving the infant on the floor and unattended for prolonged periods of time.  As a result of the inappropriate maternal behaviors, on Day 6 the decision was made to remove the infant for hand-rearing.\r\n\r\nOnce the decision to hand-rear was made, a team of trained neonatal volunteers was assembled to assist zoo staff in caring for the infant chimpanzee.  It is the practice of AZA zoos to mimic natural mother-infant behavior as closely as possible during hand-rearing.  Hand-rearing therefore involves almost 24-hour body-to-body contact between the infant and the caretaker, species-specific handling of the infant (including feeding the infant in a ventro-ventral position (Photo II), and exposure to<img class="size-full wp-image-2566 alignright" title="pic22" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/pic22.jpg" alt="pic22" width="419" height="572" />\r\nconspecifics (AZA Ape TAG, 2010).\r\n\r\nThe hand-rearing team recorded food offered and consumed, daily weights and temperatures, urination frequencies, fecal output and its consistency, and any behavioral or developmental data.  Dietary changes, including frequencies and amounts, were approved by the area supervisor, the Curator of Mammals, and the attending veterinarian.  Factors for diet changes were: total diet consumption, consumption at certain periods of the day, fecal output, weight, behavior, and social and developmental needs.\r\n\r\nScheduled feeding was instituted, rather than on-demand feeding, due to the large number of individuals caring for the infant.  We chose a fixed schedule to avoid reliance on different individuals’ subjective judgment of hunger cues from the infant and the desire not to over or under feed.\r\n\r\nFor the first six weeks the infant was fed using a preemie bottle and nipple from Enfamil®.  At six weeks we changed to Evenflo® Classic™ bottles and silicone nipples (3-6 month, medium flow) due to issues with the preemie nipples flowing too fast.  We were concerned with aspiration and bloating due to rapid consumption.\r\n\r\nInitially the infant was provided the human infant formula Similac® Advance® Early Shield® with iron (see Table I for dietary offerings).  At just over two weeks of age the formula was changed to a soy formula (Enfamil® Prosobee® Infant Formula for Sensitive Tummy Soy formula with iron) due to several days of diarrhea and possible lactose intolerance.  The infant remains on this formula to date. When bouts of diarrhea occurred, the infant was taken off formula and offered Pedialyte® solution at 100% for 1-5 feeds (depending on length and frequency of diarrhea), then switched back to 100% formula over the course of three feeds.\r\n\r\nRice cereal was offered at eight weeks.   Novel fruits and vegetables in the form of baby food were introduced at 13 weeks.  Each item was offered for four consecutive days before offering a new item.  This was done to monitor for food allergies or adverse effects of each new food.   At each feeding cereal and/or fruits/vegetables were supplemental foods.  Formula was and continues to be the primary source of nutrition….\r\n<div style="font-style: italic;"><strong><em><span>Want to read the rest of this article?  For this and many more fascinating articles every month, see Animal Keepers’ Forum.  AKF is available only by being a member of AAZK. </span><a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/join/">JOIN NOW!</a></em></strong></div>', 'Dietary Practices for Hand-Rearing of an Infant Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) at the North Carolina Zoological Park', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2563-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:16', '2013-10-15 22:49:16', '', 2563, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2563-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3193, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:16', '2013-10-15 22:49:16', 'About the Cover/Information for Contributors<span> </span>\r\n\r\nFrom the President<span> </span>\r\n\r\nNew Members<span> </span>\r\n\r\nComing Events<span> </span>\r\n\r\nThe Scoop<span> </span>\r\n\r\nCall for Papers: Multi-species Bird/Ungulate Habitats\r\n\r\nDietary Practices for Hand-Rearing of an Infant Chimpanzee<span> </span>\r\n\r\nGood Catch - Monitoring Fish Consumption/Waste in Order to Reduce Food Fish\r\n\r\nWaste at the Penguin and Puffin Coast<span> </span>\r\n\r\nPlanning and Implementing a Herp Survey<span> </span>\r\n\r\nEnrichment Options: Safer Enrichment — It’s as Easy as 1,2,3<span> </span>\r\n\r\nTraining Tales: You want to Stick What? Where?:  Redirecting Focus to Facilitate\r\n\r\nInjection Training of Mongoose Lemurs<span> </span>\r\n\r\nConservation Station: Express Crisis Relief<span> </span>\r\n\r\nResearch in Practice: Spending Time Evaluating Enrichment – How Much is Enough?', 'September 2012', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2560-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:16', '2013-10-15 22:49:16', '', 2560, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2560-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3194, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:17', '2013-10-15 22:49:17', '<em>By\r\nStacy Johnson, Animal Keeper\r\nDisney’s Animal Kingdom®, Lake Buena Vista, Florida</em>\r\n\r\n<em></em>\r\n\r\n<strong>Abstract</strong>\r\n\r\n“Waterfowl” is a collective term given to the order Anseriformes, consisting mostly of ducks, geese and swans.  There are currently over 150 species represented on every continent except Antarctica.  Most ducks fall in to the categories of dabblers, divers and perchers.\r\n\r\nSeveral species of ducks and swans are represented within the Oasis area of Disney’s Animal Kingdom®.  The largest pond houses red shovelers (<em>Anas platalea</em>), red-crested pochards (<em>Netta rufina</em>), common white-eye (<em>Aythya nyroca</em>), rosybill (<em>Netta peposaca</em>), yellow-billed duck (<em>Anas undulata</em>), black-necked swans (C<em>ygnus melanocorphyus</em>), tufted ducks (<em>Aythya fuligula</em>) and plumed whistling duck (<em>Dendrocygna eytoni</em>).  Despite the size of this large pond, keepers need to get within close proximity to the ducks to conduct health checks and administer medications when needed.  The pond is also an open exhibit, allowing native wildlife (e.g., white ibis and mallard ducks) easy access causing competition for food.  To meet these challenges, we implemented four training behaviors: “come”, hand feeding, scale and chute. To further enhance waterfowl management, the waterfowl enrichment program was also expanded to include sinking feeders, floating feeders and variations of food presentation.  The investment in waterfowl training and enrichment has also allowed us to obtain weights, reduce capture stress, and engage visitors in our daily husbandry.\r\n\r\n<strong>Training</strong>\r\n\r\nAll of the waterfowl in the current collection are captive bred, but like most species, they remained elusive to keepers upon our arrival.  Therefore, our initial training goal was to desensitize all 22 individuals to the close proximity of keepers.  This would help with better management of daily feedings, as well as facilitate physical and behavioral observations. We began the process by pairing the sound of a clicker (in rapid succession) with food.  Birds were cued to come to where the keeper was standing in a designated shallow part of the pond.  Initially, any movement in the keeper’s direction was reinforced.  As the criterion was tightened, closer proximity to the keeper was reinforced and we were able to get close enough to do quick visual assessments of individual ducks.  All of the birds quickly learned that the sound of the cue signaled the availability of food and, within a matter of weeks, all ducks were responding to the come cue (the clicker).  We hoped that, over time, the birds would be comfortable enough around us to remain in the immediate area for longer periods while eating.  Within a few weeks, “Calum” (red crested pochard), “Mallomar” (black-necked swan), “Mr. Snoops” (yellow-billed duck), “Bianca” (rosy-billed pochard), “Tank” and “Titan” (tufted ducks) and “Siren” (red shoveler) all remained in the vicinity of the keeper to eat during the entire feed session.  Little did we know that some would become so comfortable with us, they would start pecking at our boots if we did not get food to them fast enough!\r\n\r\nThe birds’ high level of food motivation prompted us to move on to our next goal of hand feeding.  Once the ducks were cued to the designated feeding area, the keeper used favorite food items (e.g., Romaine lettuce, krill, finch seed, millet, crickets) to entice birds to approach and take the item from the keeper’s hand.  The waterfowl in the collection were fed three times per day.  Hand feeding was attempted at each feed.  Not surprisingly, many of the ducks either swam away or remained just out of reach.  After a few weeks, the most gregarious waterfowl (yellow-billed ducks, black-necked swans, and a rosybill) began to feed from a keeper’s hand. In another two weeks most of the waterfowl in the pond came close enough to quickly grab a bite from the keepers and swim away.  After working on this for another month, most of the waterfowl began to establish preferred feeding locations near the keeper.  However, there were still some extremely shy waterfowl species in the collection, like the common white-eyes, that never attempted to hand feed.  An added benefit to this training was that some individuals began to defend their “feed area” from native birds, facilitating the hand feeding sessions.  The success of hand feeding enabled us to more closely monitor individual food consumption and allowed medication to be administered to specific individuals.\r\n\r\nWith the group well acclimated to the proximity of keepers and hand feeding, our next goal was to start scale and chute training.  We wanted to get monthly weights on all of the ducks to ensure they weren’t being out-competed by native waterfowl in the area.   In addition, we wanted to introduce an exclusionary device: a chute that could minimize the intrusion of native birds in the feed area.  The chute is a very simple design made of box wire (L 96cm x W 43cm x H 42cm) with one hinged side.  The chute allowed collection animals to swim in, get their food, and swim back out.  If a native bird tried to get in, the side could be closed, excluding them from the area.\r\n\r\nAn initial challenge to implementing both scale and chute training was finding a suitable location in the exhibit where both the scale and chute could be introduced.  The original feed area was not ideal due to limited space.  Once we found a level area near the shoreline for the scale with enough water area for the chute, we introduced another sound cue, a castanet, as the training cue for the start of the sessions.\r\n\r\nScale and chute training began with two keepers on the bank, near the shoreline with the small scale (L 32cm x W 28cm x H 3.8cm) and chute (Figure 1).  These training sessions were conducted at least once per week.  The castanet cue was paired with crickets being tossed into the water.  In the first week, none of the waterfowl came closer than five feet from the bank.  We reinforced any orientation to the new designated area.  It didn’t take long for several of the ducks to begin participating in sessions.\r\n\r\nMost of the ducks were easily baited to the scale (Fig. 2).  Acclimation to the chute worked much the same way, using crickets as reinforcement for any movement toward the chute opening.   The swans preferred romaine lettuce to all other items, so this was used for them.  Progress to the completed behavior of stepping on the scale and entering the chute was slow. After a period of five months (with 1 to 2 sessions per week), we were able to get voluntary weights on 10 of the 22 birds (including the swans) (Fig. 3-4).  All of the collection birds in this enclosure would then eat off of the scale, and many more put at least a foot on the scale.  Also, all birds (excluding the swans due to their size) entered the chute and ate within it on the shoreline or hand fed within the chute (Fig. 5-6).  Since the chute added some distance between keepers and the ducks, it allowed more elusive species, like the common white-eyes, to participate in sessions.\r\n<div><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-2543" title="yellow_billed_duck" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/yellow_billed_duck-1024x679.jpg" alt="yellow_billed_duck" width="614" height="407" /></div>\r\n<div>\r\n<div>Yellow-billed duck “Mr. Snoops” hand feeding from trainer while stationing on the scale.  <em>Photo courtesy of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.</em></div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div><strong><em><span>For this and much more every month, see Animal Keepers’ Forum.  AKF is available only by being a member of AAZK. </span><a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/join/">JOIN NOW!</a></em></strong></div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n</div>', 'Advances in Waterfowl Training and Enrichment at Disney’s Animal Kingdom®', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2542-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:17', '2013-10-15 22:49:17', '', 2542, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2542-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3195, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:17', '2013-10-15 22:49:17', 'About the Cover/Information for Contributors<span> </span>\r\n\r\nFrom the President<span> </span>\r\n\r\nNew Members<span> </span>\r\n\r\nComing Events<span> </span>\r\n\r\nThe Scoop<span> </span>\r\n\r\nConservation and Research for the Western Pond Turtle<span> </span>\r\n\r\nEnrichment Options/Training Tales: Advances in Waterfowl Training and Enrichment <span> </span>\r\n\r\nDetermining Pregnancy in the Giant Anteater <span> </span>\r\n\r\nDesign and Construction of Scale Holder and Weighing Platform <span> </span>\r\n\r\nConservation Station: Are Waribashi worth it? <span> </span>', 'August 2012', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2535-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:17', '2013-10-15 22:49:17', '', 2535, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2535-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3196, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:17', '2013-10-15 22:49:17', '<img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-825" title="enrichment_options" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/enrichment_options-300x117.jpg" alt="enrichment_options" width="300" height="117" />\r\n\r\n<em>By\r\nJennifer J. Elston, Ph.D., Curator of Conservation and Behavior\r\nFort Worth Zoo, Fort Worth, Texas</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>Introduction</strong>\r\n\r\nTraditional enrichment for reptiles has typically focused on enhancing environmental features of enclosures (e.g., plant variety, ground substrates, etc.), animal health (i.e., misting and soaking animals), and nutrition (i.e., provision of insects, variety in the diet).  These types of enrichments are important practices that can enhance an animal’s environment and well-being.  However, novelty in the form of foods, objects and scents may be equally stimulating and important for reptiles, as has been shown for mammals (Shepherdson, 2010) and birds (Elston and Plasse, 2008).\r\n\r\nStudies regarding enrichments for chelonians are limited in the literature, though some published evidence exists regarding the benefits of enrichment for turtles.  Sea turtles increased investigative and grooming behaviors and reduced pattern swimming when enrichment devices were provided (Therrien et al., 2007).  A Nile soft-shelled turtle (Trionyx triunguis) sought out stimulation from objects and displayed “play” behavior previously only described for mammals and birds (Burghardt et al., 1996).\r\n\r\nThe objectives of this study were to introduce captive-housed tortoises to novel enrichments to determine the extent of their interaction with new and different items and to compare interactions among food, object and scent enrichment.  Additional goals were to compare tortoise behavior under routine management vs. novel enrichment presentation and also to determine the amount of contact between tortoises that were housed in pairs (a form of social enrichment).\r\n\r\n<strong>Animals, Housing and Methods</strong>\r\n\r\nThis study took place from December 2011 through January 2012.  Three Burmese star tortoises (<em>Geochelone platynota</em>; two males, one female) and five Forsten’s tortoises (<em>Indotestudo forstenii</em>; three males, two females) were observed, for a total of eight tortoises.  Four tortoises were kept as male-female pairs, and four were kept separately.  The tortoises were housed in an off-exhibit greenhouse under both natural and artificial light, in either a run with cement and plywood sides (approximately 90 X 38 X 20 in., 1 pair and 1 single; or approximately 35 X 38 X 20 in., 1 pair) or a rubber tub (approximately 49 X 33 X 21 in., 3 single).  Cypress mulch was used as ground substrate and each enclosure contained a water bowl, food pan, heat source, and a shelter for privacy.  Tortoises were fed once daily in the morning a diet of mixed greens and vegetables with commercial biscuits (Mazuri® Tortoise Diet and Marion Leaf Eater® Food), and had access to their food throughout the day.  A HOBO® data logger (Onset Computer Corporation) was used to record temperature inside the greenhouse.\r\n\r\nDuring each daily observation session, the behavior (Table 1) of each tortoise was recorded every minute for 40 minutes (Scan Sampling; Martin and Bateson, 2007).  Data collection took place between 1300 and 1600 hours.  Behavior was observed over six days under routine husbandry without novel enrichment to generate a baseline time budget before new enrichments were presented.  Following the baseline treatment, a randomly chosen enrichment item was presented during the observation session.  Six items that the tortoises did not have previous exposure to were used, representing three categories:  food, object and scent.  The foods were edible flowers (four total, ranging in size from 1 to 2 in.) and a fresh strawberry.  The objects were a ping pong ball and a wicker ball.  Because the tortoises had not been previously exposed to a ball, a ping pong ball and 2 in. wicker ball were chosen because their small size was expected to be less intimidating, and the tortoises were not large enough to accidentally swallow either type of ball.  The scents were a fresh herb (basil; one sprig, approximately 6 in. long and containing stem and leaves) or a spice (nutmeg; 3 shakes on a piece of cypress mulch).  One type of enrichment was presented per day and each enrichment item was presented twice, for a total of 12 days.  The enrichments were placed in the enclosures in locations where the tortoises could see them, typically within the center of the enclosure.  Each tortoise was offered the same amount of enrichment, whether housed singularly or in pairs.  After the enrichment treatment, behavioral data were collected for an additional six days in order to determine any changes in baseline behavior.\r\n\r\n<strong>Results</strong>\r\n\r\nDuring the enrichment treatment, tortoises spent an average of 13% of time interacting with the novel enrichments (Fig. 1).  Tortoises expressed natural behaviors toward the enrichments, including investigation and/or touching, and consumption of the edibles (Fig. 2).  Tortoises spent less time stationary during the enrichment treatment than before or after, and spent less time moving in general after the enrichment treatment (Fig. 1).  They also spent less time in their shelters when enrichments were present (38% of time during the enrichment treatment vs. 48% before and 58% after).  Tortoises spent the most time interacting with food enrichment (19% of time vs. 10% of time for objects and scents), primarily because of the strawberry.  The strawberry received the most interaction; the nutmeg received the least (Fig. 3).  <img class="alignright size-full wp-image-2515" title="figure-2-elston-fort-worth-zoo" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/figure-2-elston-fort-worth-zoo.jpg" alt="figure-2-elston-fort-worth-zoo" width="677" height="561" />\r\n\r\nThe tortoises housed in male-female pairs spent an average of 49% of time in contact with one another over the course of the three treatments (56%, 31%, and 59% of time, respectively).  Temperature in the greenhouse was consistent throughout the treatments; average temperature was 72º F, reaching an average of 89º F during the day and 62º F at night.\r\n\r\n<strong>Discussion</strong>\r\n\r\nThe tortoises spent the most time interacting with food enrichment, which was not surprising because food enrichments are often favored by animals in general (Young, 2003).  In a comparison of enrichments for an African serval (Leptailurus serval), the serval interacted more with edible enrichments than inedible enrichments, though both types did receive attention (Kunkel, 2011).  The tortoises spent a shorter amount of time interacting with the flowers primarily because of their small size, which made them easy to grasp and swallow.  Because some favored foods can be consumed fairly quickly by tortoises, if a goal for the enrichment is to increase time spent foraging (a natural behavior for tortoises), combining foods with objects that require manipulation to consume the food will lengthen interaction time.\r\n\r\nThe ping pong ball generated more interest than the wicker ball, possibly because its white color and smooth, round shape made it resemble a food item.  The tortoises that did interact with the ping pong ball spent most of their time biting at it.  Size of ball would need to be taken into consideration for larger tortoises to prevent any possible consumption.\r\n\r\nVery little interaction occurred with the nutmeg; however, a great deal of time was spent with the fresh herb (basil).  In fact, the herb received the second highest amount of interaction after the strawberry.  Even though the herb was categorized as scent enrichment during this study, it became a combination of scent and food enrichment because it was consumed.  The palatability of the herb and its composition (leaves and stem, which required much biting and tearing to consume it) likely contributed to the lengthy interaction.  These attributes make fresh herbs an effective form of enrichment if goals are to increase foraging time and offer a novel gustatory and olfactory experience.\r\n\r\nOnce the enrichment treatment was underway the tortoises appeared to anticipate and expect to receive the enrichments.  For example, several tortoises began watching, moving toward and following the observer.  These behaviors began during the enrichment treatment and continued during the first part….\r\n\r\n<strong><em><span>For this and much more every month, see Animal Keepers’ Forum.  AKF is available only by being a member of AAZK. </span><a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/join/">JOIN NOW!</a></em></strong>\r\n<div></div>', 'Coming Out Of Their Shells:  Enrichment For Tortoises', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2514-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:17', '2013-10-15 22:49:17', '', 2514, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2514-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3197, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:17', '2013-10-15 22:49:17', '<em>By\r\nAlison Mott, Registered Veterinary Technician\r\nKate Gore, Primary Reptile Keeper\r\nSacramento Zoological Society, Sacramento, CA</em>\r\n\r\n<em></em>\r\n\r\n<strong>Abstract </strong>\r\n\r\nManagement of medical conditions in zoo animals can present unique challenges to veterinary and keeper staffs, often requiring creative solutions.  The Sacramento Zoo was faced with the challenge of how to limit the use of a tortoise’s limb while still allowing the animal to have mobility. While the use of carts for cats and dogs with spinal injuries are common, we took this idea and modified it creating a skateboard for a tortoise. This allowed us to treat and rehabilitate 1.0 sulcata tortoise known as “Bubba.”\r\n\r\n<strong>Natural History </strong>\r\n\r\nThe African spur thighed tortoise (<em>Geochelone sulcata</em>) is native to the northern region of Africa. They range along the southern edge of the Sahara within the countries of Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad, the Sudan, and Ethiopia.  The sulcata is the third-largest tortoise species, with a weight range of 80-150 lbs. (36-68 kg), and an average carapace length of 24-30 inches (60-75 cm). They are the largest tortoise species from the African continent. The oldest sulcata on record lived to be 54 years-old (Hughes, 1986, in Stearns). Sulcatas are adapted to living in the dry grasslands with thick skin that is resistant to fluid loss in dry conditions; however when exposed to moisture, their skin may become permeable, allowing them to acquire what moisture they need. Like other desert-oriented tortoise species, the sulcata will excavate burrows to thirty inches in depth, and once underground, the burrow can then reach lengths of ten feet or more. As sulcatas are grassland tortoises, they obtain the majority of their nutrition from the grasses on which they graze. In captivity, they will readily eat assorted greens, yams, carrots, with occasional broccoli, squash, and tomatoes as relished treats.\r\n\r\nThe sulcata species is listed as vulnerable, though they are very common in the pet trade within the United States, despite the Cites Appendix II status. Sulcatas have developed a reputation as a “throw away pet”, due to their large size and destructive tendencies. They can be purchased when they are newly hatched and sized to fit within a child’s hands. Sulcatas grow quickly, are prone to digging large burrows, and as their weights increase, they become more than most people care to handle, and the owners often end up getting rid of the tortoises in any way they can. Zoos and rescue centers are regularly called by people wanting to donate their unwanted tortoises. In October 1999, the Sacramento Zoo acquired the subject of this paper when he was donated by a local veterinarian. As a result of the manner of acquisition, his date of birth and parentage are unknown. Based upon his size, keepers estimated the tortoise’s age to be thirteen years.\r\n\r\n<strong>Initial Medical Problem</strong>\r\n\r\nBubba has had an unremarkable medical history with an annual physical exam and radiographs bi-yearly. In 2010 a new tortoise exhibit located between the Giraffe exhibit space and the visitor viewing deck, (approximately 904 sq. ft.), was constructed in combination with the Tall Wonders Giraffe Encounter. The exhibit features a heated house that is approximately 81 sq. ft., while the exhibit yard is a mixture of grass and dirt with small boulders and tall grasses for decorative design. There is a slight slope up to the fence of the Giraffe yard. Bubba shares this exhibit with two smaller sulcata tortoises.\r\n\r\nOn 25 January 2011 (day 1 of presentation) keepers reported that Bubba had been showing signs of lameness for one day. He was not bearing full weight on his left front leg. Keepers were advised to monitor and report back to veterinary staff if the lameness persisted or worsened.  On 31 January 2011 (day 1 of treatment) the lameness had increased to non-weight-bearing and a full physical exam was performed. During his exam, radiographs of the left front limb were taken and showed irregularities in the margins of the elbow and carpal joints consistent with osteoarthritis. The left distal humerus had areas of focal radiolucency, and a possible bone fragment. He was given an injection of Meloxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID), for pain. Bubba was returned to his exhibit and keepers continued to monitor his lameness.\r\n\r\n<strong>Medical Treatment</strong>\r\n\r\nOn 1 February 2011, Bubba was placed on oral Meloxicam every other day and Tramadol once daily. Tramadol is a synthetic opioid analgesic used to treat moderate to severe pain. While it was hoped that a combination of analgesics would help alleviate Bubba’s pain, it was obvious two days later that his condition was not improving. He was moved to the Dr. Murray E. Fowler Veterinary Hospital. The hospital has a room dedicated specifically for sick birds or reptiles that can be modified to fit the specific needs of the animal hospitalized. In Bubba’s case, he had free access to the entire room with a 250-watt radiant heater hung from the ceiling three feet off of the floor to give him a basking spot while the room temperature was set to maintain a range of 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Due to the concerns that there may be osteomyelitis in the leg and further use of the leg might worsen the condition, the staff wanted to keep Bubba from using or bearing weight on the front left leg. For most mammals this would be a bandage that brought the leg up to the body or a splint which restricted movement. These animals are able to ambulate without problem on three legs. Tortoises, however, require the use of all limbs to raise themselves and move. Turtles and tortoises must rely exclusively on movements of the limbs to propel themselves.  The challenge was how to keep a 41kg tortoise off of a limb. The veterinary staff needed a device that would keep Bubba’s weight off of his leg, but still allow him to move freely. The Maintenance Department was consulted and tasked with constructing a tortoise cart the following day while the veterinary staff performed a follow-up examination.\r\n\r\nDue to the lack of improvement in the tortoise’s condition, additional diagnostics were performed on 4 February 2011. This exam included a blood culture, arthrocentesis [or joint-tap (fig 2)], Complete Blood Cell count (CBC), blood chemistry panel, additional radiographs and obtaining an accurate body weight (41kg). Radiographs of the left front limb showed marked irregularity at the joint margins with areas of bony proliferations and lysis at the distal humeral condyl. These results were more consistent with osteomyelitis or neoplasia rather than trauma. The arthrocentesis results showed mild mononuclear inflammation most compatible with a degenerative joint disease. While under anesthesia, the maintenance department took measurements of Bubba and outlined the plastron using a towel and a black marker. The cart was constructed out of 1” plywood, four wheels and two nylon straps.  The wood was cut to include a place for the left front leg to rest and all edges were rounded and smoothed.  While Bubba recovered from anesthesia he was strapped onto the cart. After a few days of walking around on his new cart it was obvious that a few modifications were needed. Bubba was having a hard time reaching the ground with his back feet, the straps kept breaking, he was still able to use his front left leg and he was becoming very good at doing wheelies with his front right foot. The cart was taken back to our maintenance department where the rear wheels were sunk into the wood (to lower the back of the cart), a fifth wheel was added in the middle rear area, rubber padding was installed on the cart to prevent sliding, the straps were replaced with heavier nylon versions and a leg guard was placed on the front of the cart to keep the left leg from being able to bear weight (fig 3).<img class="alignright size-full wp-image-2504" title="bubba-on-cart" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/bubba-on-cart.jpg" alt="bubba-on-cart" width="714" height="511" />\r\n\r\nOn 10 February 2011, Dr. Allison Zwingenberger, a Radiologist at the University of California at Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (UCD VMTH), was consulted and agreed that the radiographic bone changes were likely the result of an infection. Bubba was started on Ceftazidime injections (three times a week), a broad spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic. Bubba’s activity and appetite had decreased since he was placed on the cart and he had started to refuse all oral medications; as a result his oral Meloxicam treatment was changed to a daily injection. As he spent the majority of his time under the basking heater, veterinarians and the curator were asked about the possibility of giving Bubba some time outside on warm days. Permission was granted and he was allowed time outside behind the Veterinary hospital on days that were above 70 degrees Fahrenheit and sunny. On 13 February 2011 he spent his first 4 ½ hours outside with some supervised time spent grazing. This was the most active he had been in some time. He had figured out that the asphalt behind the hospital sloped slightly and he would walk up one end and slide down. This was only about five feet long, but he appeared to enjoy it. He also became very adept at climbing hills with his cart. The grassy area behind the hospital is a slight hill; using his three available legs he would climb the hill to get to his favorite patches of grass. He was allowed unsupervised time outside when he was confined to the asphalt, but had to be supervised when grazing in case he got stuck in mud or flipped over while climbing. (fig 4)\r\n\r\nBubba’s appetite remained decreased, until it was discovered that by flipping his food dish over and offering his diet on top, (a difference in about two inches of height), Bubba was better able to reach his food and ate readily.  Leaving his food this way was not practical as Bubba would knock the food off of the bowl and have difficulty eating it off the ground. Reptile keeper Bill Tabb was asked to make a raised food bowl. Using two plant saucers that were placed bottom to bottom and attached together with three screws, he devised a raised feeder. Bubba made his own modifications to the food bowl over the next week by pinning the food bowl against the wall with his cart. This cracked the top bowl and made an indentation in one side. The cracked piece was removed and edges of the food bowl were smoothed. This was the best spot for Bubba to eat his food (fig 5).\r\n\r\nAfter three weeks of treatment, the leg guard was removed during the day. Veterinary staff wanted to assess the use of the limb without letting Bubba place full weight on it. He was observed letting the leg rest on the cart multiple times throughout the day. While his leg appeared visibly swollen at the elbow joint, the swelling had decreased from the initial presentation. The leg guard was placed back on the cart the following morning and Bubba continued to improve on his cart.\r\n\r\nVeterinary staff performed a follow-up examination 37 days into the treatment. The examination included repeat radiographs, arthrocentesis, CBC and blood chemistry panels. Over the previous five weeks of hospitalization his weight had remained steady and appetite returned to normal.  He was anesthetized for the examination. Contracture of the muscles around the left elbow was appreciated. There was resistance to the manipulation of the joint and no appreciable crepitus,…….\r\n\r\n<strong><em><span>Want to read the rest of this article?  For this and many more fascinating articles every month, see Animal Keepers’ Forum.  AKF is available only by being a member of AAZK. </span><a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/join/">JOIN NOW!</a></em></strong>', 'Bubba: A Sulcata on a Skateboard', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2503-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:17', '2013-10-15 22:49:17', '', 2503, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2503-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3198, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:17', '2013-10-15 22:49:17', 'About the Cover/Information for Contributors<span> </span>\r\n\r\nA Dedication to Chelonians<span> </span>\r\n\r\nFrom the President<span> </span>\r\n\r\nNew Members<span> </span>\r\n\r\nComing Events<span> </span>\r\n\r\nA Brief Overview of Captive Husbandry of Turtles for Non-Reptile Keepers <span> </span>\r\n\r\nBubba: A Sulcata on a Skateboard<span> </span>\r\n\r\nHatching Success of the Madagascar Flat-tailed Tortoise (<em>Pyxis planicauda</em>)<span> </span>\r\n\r\nThe Evolution of Wrangling Turtles in Houston, Texas<span> </span>\r\n\r\nEnrichment Options: Coming Out Of Their Shells:  Enrichment for Tortoises<span> </span>\r\n\r\nDisney’s Animal Kingdom’s® Turtle Cognition Program <span> </span>\r\n\r\nThe (<em>Cuora galbinifrons</em>) Studbook: A Model for Understanding Studbook Challenges<span> </span>\r\n\r\nSurgery and Rehabilitation on a Male Painted Terrapin (<em>Batagur borneoensis</em>)<span> </span>', 'July 2012', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2506-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:17', '2013-10-15 22:49:17', '', 2506, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2506-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3199, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:17', '2013-10-15 22:49:17', 'About the Cover/Information for Contributors<span> </span>\r\n\r\nA Dedication to Chelonians<span> </span>\r\n\r\nFrom the President<span> </span>\r\n\r\nNew Members<span> </span>\r\n\r\nComing Events<span> </span>\r\n\r\nA Brief Overview of Captive Husbandry of Turtles for Non-Reptile Keepers <span> </span>\r\n\r\nBubba: A Sulcata on a Skateboard<span> </span>\r\n\r\nHatching Success of the Madagascar Flat-tailed Tortoise (<em>Pyxis planicauda</em>)<span> </span>\r\n\r\nThe Evolution of Wrangling Turtles in Houston, Texas<span> </span>\r\n\r\nEnrichment Options: Coming Out Of Their Shells:  Enrichment for Tortoises<span> </span>\r\n\r\nDisney’s Animal Kingdom’s® Turtle Cognition Program <span> </span>\r\n\r\nThe (<em>Cuora galbinifrons</em>) Studbook: A Model for Understanding Studbook Challenges\r\n\r\nSurgery and Rehabilitation on a Male Painted Terrapin (<em>Batagur borneoensis</em>)<span> </span>', 'July 2012', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2500-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:17', '2013-10-15 22:49:17', '', 2500, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2500-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3200, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:17', '2013-10-15 22:49:17', 'About the Cover/Information for Contributors<span> </span>\r\n\r\nFrom the President<span> </span>\r\n\r\nNew Members<span> </span>\r\n\r\nComing Events<span> </span>\r\n\r\nPerspectives on Poaching: A Park Guard Story <span> </span>\r\n\r\nAn Update from the Snow Leopard Trust<span> </span>\r\n\r\nObservations on Eco-tourism and Conservation in India<span> </span>\r\n\r\nEnrichment Options: Feeling Stuck in a Rut?  Ideas on How to Enrich Your Enrichment<span> </span>\r\n\r\nConservation Station: Rain Gardens: Bringing Conservation Home <span> </span>\r\n\r\nTraining Tales: Ideas to Help New Training Programs (Part 2)<span> </span>\r\n\r\nResearch in Practice: Moderating Undesirable Behavior in Petting Zoo Animals<span> </span>\r\n\r\nConservation/Legislative Update', 'June 2012', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2483-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:17', '2013-10-15 22:49:17', '', 2483, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2483-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3201, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:17', '2013-10-15 22:49:17', '<img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-695" title="hdr_conservation_station" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/hdr_conservation_station-300x114.gif" alt="hdr_conservation_station" width="300" height="114" />\r\n\r\n<em>Mary Ann Cisneros\r\nAAZK Conservation Committee</em>\r\n\r\nSpring has sprung and an early summer planting of a rain garden will not only leave your lawn looking lovely but your “green” conscious clear.  Rain gardens are landscaped areas using native plants that reduce storm water runoff and can provide considerable environmental benefits to your community.  Besides being aesthetically <img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2476" title="mac" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/mac-300x200.jpg" alt="mac" width="300" height="200" />pleasing, rain gardens reduce flooding, protect streams and lakes from pollutants carried by urban storm water runoff, and increase the amount of water filtering into the ground to help recharge local aquifers.  An added bonus is that a new habitat is created for birds, butterflies, and beneficial insects.\r\n\r\nIn 2009, two events at Mesker Park Zoo promoted and celebrated the establishment of rain gardens in our community.  The first event was the installation of a rain garden at our new entrance.  Using a grant from the local Soil and Water Conservation District, MPZ AAZK partnered with several groups to bring this demonstration garden to Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden.  Our own grounds curator and staff, University of Southern Indiana (USI) students and faculty, and the Evansville Zoological Society worked together to provide visitors an example of a way to bring conservation home.   The zoo used the planting day to teach about the mechanics of rain gardens and had volunteers (lucky USI students and MPZ AAZK members) perform the dirty work.  The second event was a dedication a few months after the planting so that visitors could get a look at the garden as it began to establish itself.\r\n\r\nBoth these events also allowed the Soil and Water Conservation District to promote their Backyard Conservation Grant.  This grant provided a cost-share/rebate program for citizens in Vanderburgh County who put in a rain garden.\r\n\r\nThe rain garden at the zoo was and is a success.  It is a beautiful addition to our zoo landscape and an ambassador for backyard conservation that is hard to ignore when<img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-2475" title="mac2" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/mac2-300x200.jpg" alt="mac2" width="300" height="200" />visitors walk through our gates.  It is a happy coincidence that, in order to quench their thirst from our drinking fountains, guests have a great view of it!\r\n\r\nNow for you DIY’s out there! A rain garden can be put in cheaply and, once they become fully established (around two years) little or no maintenance is required of them.  So if you want your yard to be a first defense against flooding in your neighborhood and pollutants getting into local waterways please check out the following websites:\r\n\r\n<a href="http://clean-water.uwex.edu/pubs/pdf/rgmanual.pdf">http://clean-water.uwex.edu/pubs/pdf/rgmanual.pdf</a>,\r\n\r\n<a href="http://www.meskerparkzoo.com/conservation/garden.php">http://www.meskerparkzoo.com/conservation/garden.php</a>\r\n\r\nThey will give you the nitty gritty on rain garden construction for your yard.  They also provide design plans and plants that will work in your area.  Be sure to look to your local Soil and Water Conservation District to see if there is any financial assistance available for making your yard greener.  Use your resources and let’s start planting for a cleaner environment!\r\n\r\n<strong><em><span>For this and much more every month, see Animal Keepers’ Forum.  AKF is available only by being a member of AAZK. </span><a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/join/">JOIN NOW!</a></em></strong>', 'Rain Gardens: Bringing Conservation Home', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2474-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:17', '2013-10-15 22:49:17', '', 2474, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2474-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3202, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:17', '2013-10-15 22:49:17', '<p style="text-align: left;"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-695" title="hdr_conservation_station" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/hdr_conservation_station.gif" alt="hdr_conservation_station" width="418" height="160" /></p>\r\n\r\n<em>By Jessa Franck-McCauley,\r\nZookeeper, Mesker Park Zoo\r\n<a href="mailto:Jfranck@meskerparkzoo.com"> Jfranck@meskerparkzoo.com</a></em>\r\n\r\nIn the summer of 2011, I traveled to Malaysia with a group of zoo professionals for a field trip under the auspices of the AZA Orangutan SSP. We spent the first week conducting a husbandry and enrichment workshop at Zoo Negara in Kuala Lumpur. The second week was spent touring Sabah, Borneo, learning about local conservation efforts and the effects of oil palm plantations.\r\n\r\nPalm oil is harvested from the oil palm (<em>Elaeis guineensis</em>). The trees produce clusters of small red fruit. The pulp of the fruit is made into palm oil. The core of the fruit is made into palm kernel oil. Those are the two most easily recognized names, but there are a lot of other variations making it important to carefully read the ingredient labels on food and cosmetic/hygiene products. Palm oil in cosmetic/hygiene products can be even harder to identify because there are other sources of these chemicals. Very few products label the source of these chemicals, so if consumers want to continue to use these types of products while still being palm oil-aware, individual product research is needed.\r\n\r\nPalm oil is used in a variety of ways. It was adopted by the food industry as an alternative to trans-fats, although studies have shown it is not the healthiest oil available.<img class="alignright size-full wp-image-2468" title="732borneo" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/732borneo.jpg" alt="732borneo" width="500" height="359" />Palm oil in cosmetic and hygienic products has a multitude of purposes including producing suds, lubrication, stabilization, and emulsification.\r\n\r\nThere is debate in the conservation community right now about the use of sustainable palm oil. To be classified as sustainable palm oil the growers have many regulations including not clear-cutting rainforest for plantations, using chemicals in a safe manner, and paying employees fair wages. The main governing body for sustainable palm oil is the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). The RSPO was founded in 2004 by the World Wildlife Fund and major players in the palm oil supply chain and its stakeholders. Our group visited a palm oil plantation that was working on becoming RSPO certified.\r\n\r\nAnother RSPO requirement is to not harm wildlife that enters the plantation. On a lot of plantations, the wildlife that is considered destructive is destroyed and usually not in a humane manner. Orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) are some of the most-recognized victims of this practice. Mothers are killed leaving infants orphaned. Some of these orphans are sold in the pet trade. Some make it to rehabilitation centers. Our group visited Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center near Sandakan, Borneo. The orangutans housed there are raised in such a way that they can be released back into the wild.\r\n\r\nSome conservationists seem to have two big issues with sustainable palm oil. The first question is how reliable are the regulatory bodies ensuring that growers are following the rules. The second question is how companies can guarantee that they are using sustainable palm oil when after it is harvested it just enters the greater pool of palm oil and cannot be distinguished from non-sustainable sources.\r\n\r\nPalm oil is not going away. It is too wrapped up in the grower countries’ economies. Malaysia and Indonesia account for the highest percentage of palm oil production and palm oil is in the top five crops of Malaysia. The main beneficiaries of money from palm oil seem to be the governments, the plantation owners and companies that use the palm oil in their products. The palm oil plantations…..\r\n\r\n<strong><em><span>Want to read the rest of this column?  For this and much more every month, see Animal Keepers’ Forum.  AKF is available only by being a member of AAZK. </span><a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/join/">JOIN NOW!</a></em></strong>\r\n<div style="font-style: italic;"></div>', 'Palm Oil: an Overview and Message of Hope', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2467-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:17', '2013-10-15 22:49:17', '', 2467, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2467-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3203, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:17', '2013-10-15 22:49:17', '<em>By A.L. Deane, Species Coordinator, IUCN/SSC Small Mammal Specialist Group\r\nCasilla 302, Illapel, IV Región, Chile\r\nand\r\nB. Ganesh-Babu, Instructor\r\nDepartment of Geography and Meteorology\r\nValparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN</em>\r\n\r\n<em></em>\r\n\r\n<strong>Introduction</strong>\r\n\r\nOnce believed extinct in the wild, the only known wild long-tailed chinchillas (<em>Chinchilla lanigera</em>) exist in north central Chile (Jiménez, 1995). Both species of chinchillas and their range decreased dramatically as millions were exported from Chile for the fur trade (Albert, 1900).  In Chile, both species are listed as endangered and are protected from international trade by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Appendix 1 (CONAF 1988, IUCN 1972).  Population estimates of <em>C. lanigera</em> vary from less than 1000 to approximately 5000 (Jiménez, 1995; Mohlis pers. comm.).  Based on colony size and densities reported by Jiménez (1995:92), approximately 4050 individuals were known to exist in Aucó, Chile as of 1990.  At that time, the population was declining (Jiménez1995).<img class="alignright size-full wp-image-2464" title="chinchilla2" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/chinchilla2.jpg" alt="chinchilla2" width="504" height="387" /> All prior research reported a deterioration of chinchilla habitat over the last few hundred years.  Enhancing the habitat meant learning what and where was chinchilla habitat.  This paper is meant to explain the methods used to study the chinchilla habitat and common techniques used to evaluate wildlife, which aim to define conservation priorities.\r\n\r\n<strong>Site definition and methods:</strong> To be comparable with prior studies it is advisable to mimic the prior researchers’ methods.  Our grids are duplicated from those used by Jiménez (1990) in his studies of wild chinchillas.  By mimicking his methods, our data is comparable over a long time-period.  For example, we have a descriptive record of the plants associated with chinchillas for the last 30 years.  It is these plant species that our restoration efforts are focused on.\r\n\r\nFour permanent trapping grids consisting of 49 stations per grid in a 7x7 configuration were placed on north facing mountain slopes of two different drainage basins in Aucó, Chile.  The distance between grids varies based on the location of chinchilla colonies, and within each grid, stations were spaced 15m [49.21ft.] apart. Each column is labeled A to G and each row 1 to 7.  At each station, 30cm [11.8in.] red wooden stakes are labeled with the station number and hammered into the ground.  Be consistent with one grid layout.  For example, the lower left corner is A1 and the last station G7 is located at the upper right corner of the grid. The purpose of grids is to estimate the type and distribution of animal species using the vegetation and ground cover.  For example, you may want three grids in known occupied areas, and others in restoration areas, and presumed unoccupied areas. This helps in understanding the relationship between ground cover and vegetation types, and the animals that prefer that environment.\r\n\r\n<strong>Vegetation measurements:</strong> To calculate total vegetation cover, species’ frequencies and abundance, we used the line intercept method.  In each grid described earlier, we analyzed 16 transects, each measuring 18.5m [~61ft.] in length, compensating for topographic variations.  Use a rope 18.5m long and a measuring tape to measure all ground cover along the line.  Record ground cover type or species and its length in cm.  For each grid, the total area measured for all transects was used to calculate cover.  First, placement of transects within grids was created using a random number list.  Four random numbers were used to identify each location.  The first number identified the starting position by column for each transect. The second number identified the starting position by row.  The third number identified if the transect was to be placed to the right or left of the trap station. The fourth number designated if the transect was to go up or down slope from the station at a 45-degree angle. Once data was gathered it was analyzed in a spreadsheet program.  One can calculate cover by unit length covered by species or cover type divided by the total unit length measured in transect.  In our case, sometimes the slope of the landscape and overlapping shrub crowns resulted in transect total area measures being greater than or less than the 18.5m long transect. Therefore, percentage ground cover (not just transect) would be calculated, for example, in the following manner:………\r\n\r\n<strong><em><span>Want to read the rest of this article?  For this and many more fascinating articles every month, see Animal Keepers’ Forum.  AKF is available only by being a member of AAZK. </span><a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/join/">JOIN NOW!</a></em></strong>', 'Techniques for Wild Chinchilla Habitat and Behavior Studies ', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2458-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:17', '2013-10-15 22:49:17', '', 2458, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2458-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3204, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:17', '2013-10-15 22:49:17', 'About the Cover/Information for Contributors\r\nFrom the President\r\nLetter to the Editor\r\nThe Scoop\r\nChapter News\r\nGeneral Announcements\r\nNew Members\r\nComing Events\r\nEnvironmental Enrichment for Long-term Captive Bats\r\nTechniques for Wild Chinchilla Habitat and Behavior Studies\r\nConservation Station: <em>Palm Oil: an Overview and Message of Hope</em>\r\nConservation Legislation\r\nResearch in Practice Bobcat Breeding and Enrichment', 'May 2012', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2454-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:17', '2013-10-15 22:49:17', '', 2454, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2454-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3205, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:17', '2013-10-15 22:49:17', '<a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/category/akf/viewpoint/"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-2444" title="anna3" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/anna3-195x300.jpg" alt="anna3" width="137" height="210" /></a> Take just a minute to read these <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/category/akf/viewpoint/">words</a> from Anna Merz.', 'A Word from Anna Merz', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2452-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:17', '2013-10-15 22:49:17', '', 2452, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2452-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3206, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:17', '2013-10-15 22:49:17', '<img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-2444" title="anna3" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/anna3.jpg" alt="anna3" width="192" height="294" />In the late 1950s I moved from the U.K. to Ghana and went to live in Kumasi, the capital of Ashanti. Kumasi was known for having one of the biggest markets in West Africa and I soon found that this bustling and vibrant place was a source not only of total fascination but also great horror. Every local foodstuff was to be found there; colourful heaps of fruit and vegetables I had neither seen nor heard of before, plus every sort of creature both great and small, alive and dead … From giant forest snails for soup to the highly valued skin of an elephant’s ear to make drums. This was my introduction to the bushmeat trade and the start for me of a long journey. Because of the tsetse fly Ghana produced few cattle and those few came down from the Sahael. Sheep and goats were kept mainly for bride price. Bush meat was the nation’s main source of protein and as the population grew so did the demand for it. During my 20 years there the population quadrupled and more; in fact, I was once invited to a celebration when an important chief celebrated the birth of his 100th child. I never found out how many were his wives but all dwelt in a vast palace.\r\n\r\nSo as the forests were felled to satisfy the insatiable demands of the timber industry, their denizens lost their homes and travelled to market, dead if they were lucky, to fill someone’s soup pot. In those distant days up to 40 lorry loads of assorted antelopes used to arrive on a daily basis, again the lucky ones arrived dead, salted and smoked. The less fortunate arrived to satisfy the demand for fresh meat, alive, with their legs broken. Only their beautiful, desperate eyes revealed their agony and terror, the memory of those eyes haunts me still. Meat was not the only thing the animals supplied. Elephant ivory was most beautifully carved by skilled craftsmen working in tiny, dark shacks; nothing of an elephant was wasted, the meat was consumed to the last scrap, the tail hairs were woven into bracelets, but in those days it was the ears that were most valuable. Monkeys and chimps were exported to the laboratories of the West and their babies were hawked around as pets and few survived. Grey parrots hung upside down suspended by their legs from bamboo poles, screaming their misery; many were exported and huge numbers died en route.\r\n\r\nFor more than 10 years I worked in my spare time for the Ghana Game Department and travelled much of the country. I would enquire of the local chiefs what animals they had left and the invariable answer was that the animals had “travelled” and they had no more meat. When I enquired where had the animals travelled I was told they had gone over the hills, over the Volta, to Togo or the Ivory Coast. When I suggested that perhaps their journey was involuntary and by lorry to the nearest big market they would shake their heads sadly and agree. Thus it was that by the time I came to leave Ghana and move to Kenya with my husband, I had seen with my own eyes how quickly extinction could happen on a<img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-2445" title="anna" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/anna-300x195.jpg" alt="anna" width="300" height="195" /> local basis.\r\n\r\nAntelope now came to market one by one and seldom. Much of the beautiful forests were destroyed and the great trees were stacked in the worlds’ timber markets and the lovely birds and fascinating beasts were no more. But surely Kenya, with its huge parks, flourishing tourist industry and great herds of cattle to satisfy the need for meat, would be very different. And so it was in those early days when the demand for bushmeat and land for growing crops was not as great as it is now; but with one mega-exception, the black rhino. It was an animal I had then never even seen, and certainly not thought about, but it was about to turn my life around.\r\n\r\nOil in Saudi Arabia had brought unexpected wealth to Yemen with the result that the demand for rhino-handle daggers had escalated vastly. In that country all men wear a dagger and the status symbol dagger needs to have a handle made of rhino horn; it is the thing you must have to prove your worth. The shavings from the making of the handles went east to China mainly for use in traditional medicine. The belief in the virtues of rhino horn to heal goes back thousands of years. The main use is to reduce fever and it seems if you boil anything for long enough that contains keratin, your hair and finger nail clippings for instance, it will have a very tiny effect, but far more effective and cheaper it is to take an aspirin. For these ridiculous reasons the price of rhino horn started to rise in the maddest fashion till it was worth even more than gold in some countries in the Far East. And rhinos started to die in their hundreds and then in their thousands. You could drive round Kenya’s so beautiful parks and follow the vultures from one desecrated corpse to that of the next. From each, the horns had been hacked and the once magnificent and beautiful creature left to rot. In a matter of years, Kenya’s population of many thousands was reduced to below 400. What to do? It seemed well-guarded sanctuaries for a specific purpose, the natural breeding of wild black rhinos, was the only remaining hope. Thus the Ngare Sergoi Sanctuary was created on Lewa Downs, a vast cattle ranch in the north of Kenya owned by the Craig family. And it succeeded thanks to the help of many people and in a very important degree thanks to the members of AAZK and Bowling for Rhinos and the incredible amount of money that has been raised.\r\n\r\nSo the Sanctuary grew from the initial 5,000 acres to 10,000 and then in 1995 it became the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy protecting an area of some 65,000 acres which now includes the Government owned Ngare Ndare Forest. This vast increase in area was needed as rhinos will breed if given security. And security was always our total top priority. So Lewa progressed from being a cattle ranch to being an area where two highly endangered animals were breeding well; black rhinos and Grevvy’s zebra of which we have about 25% of the entire world’s population. Beneath the umbrella of these two species, the whole range of species indigenous to the area also prospered. Because our ideas were working, thanks to the costly security we employed, they were copied elsewhere and sanctuaries were created on both private and government land; both the government and the private sector working well together on this. One side-effect was that Lewa became a huge employer of labour, the biggest in the Meru district. This, plus our building of schools and clinics and other schemes to improve the welfare of our neighbours, meant we had very <img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-2446" title="anna_guards" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/anna_guards-195x300.jpg" alt="anna_guards" width="195" height="300" />good relations with them. This is vital for the success of any enterprise concerning the protection of potentially dangerous species. In the meantime, the horrific wave of poaching that had so seriously decimated the rhino populations of most of Africa had not touched South Africa. Her populations of both black and white rhino had been barely effected and they thrived, both in the national parks and on private reserves where they were used not just as a tourist attraction, but also for trophy hunting. This apparent immunity from the rhino crisis sweeping the rest of the continent, and also decimating the three species of rhino found in India and southeast Asia, made those in South Africa responsible for the security of rhinos on both public and private land, somewhat complacent; never a very wise attitude.\r\n\r\nThen three years ago the Chinese president visited most countries in Africa. Unaware and avaricious governments throughout the continent welcomed him with open arms. Here was cash undreamed of and no questions asked. Agreements were signed with a sad disregard to possible consequences. Oil, mineral rights, timber concessions, agricultural land and rights of residence have been handed over in return for doomed or shoddy infrastructure projects, all built by Chinese labour so not even unemployment is improved. Damian Thompson writing in the U.K. Daily Telegraph recently wrote “Africa’s future has been quietly settled for it. Something close to slavery is back - all thanks to China”. Even in the small town 50 km away, where I shop, there are now five Chinese shops and an ever-growing number of Chinese residents. They are not short of cash and at the top of their “wish list” are rhino horn and ivory, but they are only the tip of the iceberg. The Big Men have also moved in--the Barons of the illegal trade in wildlife which is huge-- rivaling the drugs and the arms trade. The three go hand in hand. Last year, this country lost over 450 rhino, and that means the ones that were found. I have just been told that a further 13 were killed in the Kruger National Park over Christmas. At this moment my neighbours are searching frantically for a pregnant white cow gone missing. Three years ago I said to friends and neighbours who had rhinos “guard them well” and was laughed at. Now they say, “how did you know”?  But no knowledge was available to me that was hidden from them, but people prefer to close their eyes sometimes, and governments have higher priorities than to guard their heritage, yet tourism is both a major source of revenue and of much needed, well-paid employment.\r\n\r\nTragically, it is not only rhinos that are dying, it is estimated that 100 elephants die per day throughout the continent because of the rise in the demand for ivory. Most of Asia’s tigers have died because of the demand for their bones for medicine, as much use as is rhino horn, probably less, so now Africa’s lions are next on the list. It seems the great apes are also wanted as status symbol ‘bush meat’. Whatever Africa has, and should cherish, China wants and seemingly will get. So what to do? The Governments of the West should be taking a hard look at the rape of the planet that is taking place instead of begging for financial aid. Fortunately there are zoos that seem to care more about trying to save endangered species and educating children about what is happening than in making huge profits. Better still there are zoo keepers who care a lot. I know because it has been my good fortune to have met so many of them. Better still, they are trained in people-skills and communicating. To you I say, go out and tell your States and cities and children what is happening to their world. People in politics will listen if votes are involved. Why are no Senators or Governors ex-zoo keepers? We need to get our local Chinese populations to understand this dire situation and help get the message through to China. <strong><em>Places like Lewa can do a holding action until you can change attitudes. Remember that when the last rhino in Africa </em></strong><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2447" title="anna2" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/anna2-195x300.jpg" alt="anna2" width="195" height="300" /><strong><em>or Indonesia dies in agony with a bullet in its guts, or dies in a zoo of old age, 40 million years of evolution goes with it. Forever. And with the passing of the great mammals, a splendour will have gone out of our world and cannot return.</em></strong>', 'A Letter to the AAZK Membership from Anna Merz', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2443-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:17', '2013-10-15 22:49:17', '', 2443, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2443-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3207, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:18', '2013-10-15 22:49:18', 'About the Cover/Information for Contributors\r\nFrom the President\r\nLetter to the Editor\r\nThe Scoop\r\nBowling for Rhinos - Helping in the Fight Against Poachers\r\nComing Events\r\nNew Members\r\nGeneral Announcements\r\nA Letter to the AAZK Membership from Anna Merz\r\nWhat’s driving this massive upsurge in rhino poaching?\r\nAn Inside Look at IRF’s Indonesian Rhino Protection Units\r\nThe Rarest Rhinoceroses in Captivity\r\nHope for Rhinos in a World of Trouble\r\nRhino Values\r\nElephant and Rhino Poaching in Kenya\r\nThreats to Cheetah Survival in Kenya\r\nEducating Without Intimidating', 'April 2012', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2421-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:18', '2013-10-15 22:49:18', '', 2421, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2421-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3208, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:18', '2013-10-15 22:49:18', '<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-2481" title="lcs-aazk-logo" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/lcs-aazk-logo-300x76.jpg" alt="lcs-aazk-logo" width="300" height="76" />\r\n\r\nThe AAZK Lion Country Safari Chapter in West Palm Beach, FL has been focused on increasing fundraising efforts to benefit conservation organizations locally and internationally.  Chapter members have developed a cell phone recycling program on property that encourages guests to bring in used cell phones for recycling.  This program not only helps save valuable wildlife habitats and reduces electronic waste entering landfills, but also helps fund conservation projects sponsored by the chapter.  Last year, the chapter was able to recycle over <strong>1,700</strong> cell phones, placing the AAZK Lion Country Safari Chapter among the top ten collection organizations with recycling partner ECO-CELL.\r\n\r\nSeveral regular fundraisers throughout the year such as a staff art show, bake sale, holiday candy-gram sale, and chili cook-off competition allow the chapter to support a number of conservation initiatives including “Trees for You and Me.”  Each year the AAZK Lion Country Safari Chapter has participated in this chapter challenge campaign and consistently ranks among the top contributors.\r\n\r\nThe chapter’s most successful fundraiser event is “Bowling for Rhinos.”  Last year, an inaugural “Twilight Tour” of the safari with a focus on Lion Country Safari’s white rhinos promoted “Bowling for Rhinos” and helped raise additional funds for rhinoceros conservation.  Since it was such a smashing success, the chapter is expanding the pre-event, night tour this year to allow more people to experience this unique opportunity to see the animals after hours.  We look forward to another year of celebrating the zookeeping profession and commitment to wildlife conservation!\r\n\r\nThe AAZK Board of Directors sends their sincere appreciation to the Lion Country Safari Chapter for sponsoring this month’s issue of the Animal Keepers’ Forum.  The Chapter made a special contribution designated for the AKF with their re-charter materials.  It is the special contributions of our Chapters that allow our Association to continue to grow, expand your professional development opportunities, and reaffirm our commitment to your flagship conservation programs.  Our thanks go out to the Lion Country Safari Chapter for sponsoring this month’s AKF, and to all of the Chapters that support the Association throughout the year.\r\n\r\n<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2493" title="art-show-2012" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/art-show-2012.jpg" alt="art-show-2012" width="436" height="563" />\r\n<p style="text-align: center;">The three top winners, and Lion Country Safari   Chapter members, holding their art from this year’s AAZK Staff Art Show (from left to right): 2nd Place-Sara Ziegenfuss; 1st Place-Ashleigh Kandrac; 3rd Place-Sean Mallee.\r\n<div></div>', 'June 2012', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2405-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:18', '2013-10-15 22:49:18', '', 2405, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2405-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3209, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:18', '2013-10-15 22:49:18', '<p><em>The Cutest Animal You Will Ever See, a Red Panda of Course.<br />\r\nBy<br />\r\nNicki Boyd<br />\r\nBehavior Husbandry Manager<br />\r\nSan Diego Zoo</em></p>\r\n<p><em></em></p>\r\n<p>If you have ever worked with red pandas then you are probably already agreeing with me, if not take five minutes right now to search a YouTube® video of red pandas and you will instantly fall in love.  That is what happened to me 20 years ago when I began working with them at the San Diego Zoo, and I haven’t stopped adoring them since.  There is a lot of information out there about taking care of red pandas and this article will teach you some of the basics as well as conservation efforts going on.  If you like this information then look for the dedicated AKF issue all about red pandas in 2013. We’ll be making a call out for papers too so if you would like to contribute we’d love to have your help.  Some of you reading this may have come to the workshop in San Diego at the last annual AAZK, Inc. conference in August of 2011.  I really enjoyed the workshop, not only did I get to teach about one of my favorite animals but I learned from all the other red panda keepers out there.  It was a great networking tool and I look forward to more of those in the future.</p>\r\n<p>So, let’s talk about red pandas or the FIRST panda as I like to say.  They were discovered in 1825 about 50 years before the giant panda (<em>Ailuropoda melanoleuca</em>).  There are two sub-species (<em>Ailurus fulgens fulgens</em>) and (<em>Ailurus fulgens re-fulgens</em>) (formerly <em>styani</em>). Red pandas were once classified with Procyonidae and now most agree they should be in Ailuridae. There has been much debate over their family as well, even going as far as some scientist classifying them at one time with pinnipeds, really?? So over the years I have found it difficult to explain to zoo guests and panda enthusiasts what family they are really in.  Our graphics at the zoo still say raccoon relatives even though our general curator and I tried to get the graphics updated before they were finished.  Oh well, I’m sure that has never happened to any of you, right?  A great book that just came out last year is Angela Glatson’s “Red Panda: The Biology and Conservation of the First Panda”.  You can get it for around $70 at Amazon.com®.  This book has a chapter in it that will give you a great historical look at how many different scientists have classified them in so many families and the scientific ways they have determined the two sub-species and most objective classifications to date.</p>\r\n<p><strong>Diet and Medical Husbandry</strong></p>\r\n<p>The diet varies from zoo to zoo but I will give you diet recommendations from our nutritionists and research data from the field.  Our diet for a female weighing around 6 kilograms (13.2 pounds) is as follows.</p>\r\n<p>1<span> </span>LEAFEATER (MarionvZoological®)<span> </span>50 whole<span> </span>300g<span> </span> SMTWRFS<span> </span></p>\r\n<p>2<span> </span>APPLE<span> </span>90g<span> </span> SMTWRFS<span> </span></p>\r\n<p>3<span> </span>GRAPE<span> </span>4 whole<span> </span> SMTWRFS<span> </span></p>\r\n<p>4    BROWSE, BAMBOO, ASST SPECIES  <span> </span>15-1 m branches<span> </span> SMTWRFS</p>\r\n<p>We weigh them once a month and make sure they are staying within their target which can be adjusted by a body score that our nutritionist uses to maintain a healthy weight.  They will check for fat build up on abdomen and back.  If you can get your pandas trained for palpation this really helps.  The fruit is great for training and we free-feed the leafeater biscuits in bowls or enrichment devices. I will talk more about training further down in this article.  The bamboo is offered two to three times per day.   Our horticulture team cuts it fresh and delivers it to the area. On the weekends it is bagged on Friday and put into a cooler then delivered with our daily forage order.  It dries out quickly so you should put it in water right away.  We have created several water containers.  Four-inch PVC tubes with a cap on the end and a hole in the side can easily be hung on a lag bolt drilled into a tree and our newest exhibit  has it on display so we use large sections of bamboo culm that is dried out with a hole drilled in it and that is hung with the bolts drilled into the trees (for a more natural look).  There are many species of bamboo that can be grown in all climates and it grows fast so hopefully if you have red pandas your zoo will support growing fresh bamboo to feed out.  In the wild bamboo can be up to 98% of their diet (99% of the giant pandas’ diet).  Researchers have found they prefer species B. spanostachya. Unlike giant pandas they eat only the leaves.  They also eat berries, fruits, some meat such as birds, eggs and rodents.  They have a rapidly moving digestive tract.  Input versus output is about 4200 grams of food intake while they excrete 2750 grams, thus lots and lots of feces.  Most feces are found up in trees in field studies (57%), so having a high platform (or as I like to call it a poop platform) can help make a latrine for them that you can hopefully set up for easy cleaning and disinfecting.</p>\r\n<p>Pandas can get overweight very easy and that can cause a dystocia for breeding females so our veterinarians and nutritionists keep a close eye on them, and we make sure they stay around their target weight.  We sometimes have had to separate the male and female during feeding if she starts eating his food too, which can be difficult if they don’t want to shift.  We have also had to separate for daily medications.  As they get older dental disease is quite common and a low dose of antibiotics with 3 months on, 3 months off has really kept the gingivitis under control.  Some of the other medical issues you need to stay on top of are skin issues.  Some zoos with a lot of humidity have had an issue with ringworm; another good reason to train them for tactile palpation, their fur is so thick it will hide sores and injury.  We had an issue with hot spots and were able to treat topically with Silvadene but if we didn’t have our hands on the panda we may have missed it until it was a severe sore.</p>\r\n<p>For vaccination recommendations start at 8 weeks, then 3 weeks until 16 weeks, killed rabies vaccine every 3 years after the 1st year.  For animal ambassadors that have public contact we vaccinate against rabies every year and Distemper, Feline Herpes/Calici/Panleukopenia every three years.  They can be trained for hand injections or squeeze trained pretty easily.</p>\r\n<p><strong>Exhibit Design and Nest Box Recommendations</strong></p>\r\n<p>They are an arboreal animal that is built for a cold climate, they need shade, ideally a misting system and air conditioning unit for the warmer regions and hotter months.  High climbing spots with shade, ideally natural trees to climb up and sleep in make better displays.  They have an approximate Four-foot jump distance (not great jumpers but great climbers), so five to six foot walls with a turn back and smooth surface will work fine.  Ideally the exhibit would not be surrounded by visitors, giving them some escape from guests.  While they do warm up to familiar keepers and participate well with training (once comfortable) in many zoos they can still be shy and easily stressed.  If they pace a lot in a warm climate they can quickly overheat with that thick fur coat.  Having access in hot months to air conditioning is highly recommended.</p>\r\n<p>Nest boxes (SSP recommends 3 options, and boxes should not get over 70 degrees Fahrenheit), should be L shaped for females to feel hidden. I have seen many different next boxes, in the wild they would prefer a large hollowed out log or small cave; these have been simulated in some captive exhibits and worked well.  In most zoos I see wooden next boxes, many on legs to get them up off the ground, again with options for the female.  Before giving birth you will find her dragging lots of nesting material in the box.  I have had hay get moldy from getting wet so we prefer pine wood shavings or excelsior (wood wool) and the female tends to drag in a bunch of dried bamboo to make her own. Plants in the exhibit will probably vary greatly so I imagine there are many keepers out there with suggestions (again another great time to share in the red panda issue in 2013).  Many facilities have air conditioning in the denning area; they usually give birth mid-summer so here in the United States most of us are pretty warm so to decrease mortality keeping them cool is highly recommended.</p>\r\n<p><strong>Breeding</strong></p>\r\n<p>Red pandas reach sexual maturity at around 18 to 22 months, the earliest red panda to give birth was about 25 months-old.  They breed in late winter and their parturition is usually in early to mid-summer.  Studies show they are induced ovulators and can delay implantation, so knowing exact birth dates can be tricky.  Gestation is typically 114 days (can be shorter due to time of implantation) and can be anywhere from 98 to 158 days.  The SSP recommends cameras for the den box.  There are many different strategies for successful breeding and they vary so you have to find out what works for your facility.  Some separate the female from the male, others leave them together.  Some fathers have been seen playing with them once they are out of the next box, but normally would have nothing to do with raising offspring.  Experts say that if the pair is very compatible you have a better chance of her tolerating him during birth.  If she is easily stressed it may be best to move him out or at least separate them.  Some facilities lock the female in the back with her cubs for the first month.  We have had to hand-raise youngsters at the San Diego Zoo.  There is a high mortality so a trained female is much more likely to let you get your hands on the cubs, weigh them and check vitality.  If they are not gaining you can supplement feed or pull for hand-rearing.  Aspiration is very common with bottle-fed neonates so a well-developed hand-rearing protocol should be in place in case you need to pull cubs.</p>\r\n<p>Anyone can contact me at the zoo at <a href="mailto:nboyd@sandiegozoo.org">nboyd@sandiegozoo.org</a> and I will get you in touch with the appropriate nursery staff to get you set up with our best practices and formulas.</p>\r\n<p><strong>Training and Enrichment</strong></p>\r\n<p>Goals for training at our facility were prioritized by our veterinary department.  In a perfect world these are the priority behaviors to train in order of importance:</p>\r\n<p>Shift/station</p>\r\n<p>Scale</p>\r\n<p>Crate</p>\r\n<p>Body exam: tactile (topical treatment), mouth open, ears, eyes, genitalia, measurements, ultrasound.</p>\r\n<p>Injection training</p>\r\n<p>Optional leash training as ambassador (male best candidate if in breeding program during non-breeding season).</p>\r\n<p><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-2401" title="red_panda" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/red_panda-1024x751.jpg" alt="red_panda" width="717" height="526" /></p>\r\n<p>There are many successful training programs all over the country, with patience and trust these animals are extremely intelligent and will to learn.  Of course, each individual is different and time and energy allotted toward training may affect the success.  But at minimum you should be able to crate train and/or scale train them.  With such a large tail, use a tub, half crate or platform to make sure all of their tail is being weighed too.  While being overweight is a medical concern they can easily get underweight too and with all that fur it’s difficult to tell, which is another great reason to train palpation.  The SSP would like to collect measurements again from captive pandas and have it sent to the AZA SSP coordinator.  If you have them in your institution your Institutional Representative (IR) should have the 2011 recommendations which have a chart on what measurements they would like such as girth, nose to tail and more.  I can also send you the diagrams and contact information if you’re interested.  Red pandas can be difficult to enrich, but training is enrichment too.  They should be provided fresh bamboo daily (live plants get eaten too quickly).  Also know your bamboo before planting any in…</p>\r\n<div><strong>Want to read the rest of this article?  For this and many more fascinating articles every month, see Animal Keepers’ Forum.  AKF is available only by being a member of AAZK. <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/join/">JOIN NOW!</a></strong></div>\r\n', 'What’s Black and White and Red all Over?', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2400-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:18', '2013-10-15 22:49:18', '', 2400, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2400-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3210, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:18', '2013-10-15 22:49:18', '<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-825" title="enrichment_options" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/enrichment_options.jpg" alt="enrichment_options" width="482" height="189" />\r\n\r\n<strong><em>Enrichment Effects on Lemur Behavior and Exhibit Visibility</em></strong>\r\n<em> Lemur catta and Eulemur fulvus rufus</em>\r\n<em> Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park</em>\r\n<em>Melba Brown, Thomas Morere, Lawrence Anderson and Jane Steil</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>Introduction</strong>\r\n\r\nVisitors to The National Zoo’s Lemur Island (photo 1) are treated to a scenic view of plant life and a towering waterfall. The island is a mixed-species exhibit that features 2.2 Ring-tailed Lemurs, <em>Lemur catta</em> (photo 2); 1.1 Red-fronted Lemurs, <em>Eulemur fulvus rufus</em> (photo 3); 0.0.100+ Turtles (Red-eared Sliders, <em>Trachemys scripta elegans</em>; Yellow-bellied Sliders, <em>Trachemys scripta script</em>; and Hybrid Sliders, Painted Turtles, <em>Chrysemys picta</em>; 0.0.3 Box Turtles, <em>Terrapene carolina</em>); 0.0.2 Bullfrogs, <em>Lithobates catesbeiana</em>; Toads, <em>Anaxyrus sp</em>; and 0.0.1 Northern Brown Snake, <em>Storeria dekayi</em>. The indoor facilities include 7 off-exhibit enclosures with a runway along one side and has cross chute capabilities. The lemurs stay indoors in the evening and during harsh weather. When on exhibit, however, the lemurs spend a significant amount of time away from public view on Olmstead Walk, the zoo’s main thoroughfare. The back of the island attracts the lemurs more than the front. Visitor traffic behind the exhibit is low and visitor frustration is often expressed by the question, “Where are the lemurs?”\r\n\r\n<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2344" title="lemur_island2" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/lemur_island2.jpg" alt="lemur_island2" width="604" height="485" />\r\n\r\nTo explore this particular management challenge, this study looked at the effects of gustatory, olfactory, visual and tactile enrichment presented on the island. The research objectives were to determine the activity budgets for the lemurs; determine their exhibit space and surface use; introduce and evaluate enrichment on Lemur Island; and, increase the lemurs’ visibility. This paper presents the results relating to activity budgets and enrichment effects on lemur behavior and exhibit visibility. The exhibit space and surface use results will be published in another publication.\r\n\r\nPrior to this study, when the lemurs were offered food items on the island, they were difficult to shift indoors when needed. Also, due to a previous rodent problem on the island, prepared food is not offered to them while on exhibit. They do, however, forage on a variety of plants growing in and near the exhibit such as Scarlet Curls Willow (<em>Salix matsudana</em> x <em>S. alba</em>), Common Plantain (<em>Plantago major</em>), Ground Ivy (<em>Glechoma hederacea</em>), Crape Myrtle (<em>Lagerstroemia sp.</em>) flowers and dried leaf litter. Of particular note is their preference for new leaf growth on the Scarlet Curls Willow and Common Plantain herb. This tendency towards eating new plant growth has been seen in semi-free-ranging ring-tailed lemurs (Dierenfeld and McCann, 1999).\r\n\r\nSeveral reasons expressed by staff as to why the lemurs prefer the back of the island include fear of turtles and hawks, presence of trees and shade availability, heated huts, ground cover; and a general anticipation of entering the building for the PM feeding. The entryway into the indoor facility is located at the back of the island. One additional reason for the preference could be that the boulders along the front of the exhibit may get too hot during warmer weather and the lemurs limit their time walking on them.\r\n\r\nInformal preliminary observations revealed that the lemurs, when on exhibit, were motivated to move and explore the island in search of foraging material (leaves, tree buds, small plants and leaf litter). Thick vegetation is concentrated on the back and sides of the island. The front of the island consists primarily of boulders, a waterfall and pool. There is sparse vegetation as well as limited shaded areas along the front of the exhibit. Their basic preference for the back of the island may simply be due to the higher concentration of foliage. The lemurs have been observed along the front of the exhibit but only for relatively short periods of time in comparison to their time spent elsewhere.\r\n\r\n<img class="size-full wp-image-2345 alignleft" title="rtlemur11" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/rtlemur11.jpg" alt="rtlemur11" width="416" height="335" />\r\n\r\n<img class="size-full wp-image-2346 alignright" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial;" title="lemur1" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/lemur1.jpg" alt="lemur1" width="427" height="347" />\r\n\r\n<strong>Animals and Methods</strong>\r\n\r\nLemurs are prosimians that are native to Madagascar and the Comores Islands. They live in varied habitats. They are folivorous and will ingest fruit, insects, soil and other matter (Simmen et al., 2006). One of the main physical characteristics of lemurs is a moist nose and a high level of olfaction. They have scent glands and use chemical communication to transmit specific information between individuals and groups. Ring-tailed lemurs have striking black and white tails. Males and females look similar but closer inspection reveals distinctive features. The Lemur Island ring-tailed lemurs range in age from 12 years to 23 years. Red-fronted Lemurs are a subspecies of Brown Lemur, Eulemur fulvus. Males and females are sexually dichromatic. In photo 3, the male is in the foreground and the female is in the background. The red-fronted lemurs are 19 and 26 years-old.\r\n\r\nThe research objectives were explored by placing 4 forms of enrichment along pre-determined, as well as random locations on the island and quantifying the information gathered by establishing the lemurs’ activity budgets without the enrichment and then comparing this baseline data to their activity budgets once the enrichment items were in place. An emphasis was placed on exhibit location to determine how effective the enrichment was as far as increasing animal visibility. To facilitate island observations and measure visibility, the island was divided into quadrants and coded as Q1 (front left); Q2 (rear left); Q3 (rear right); and Q4 (front right.)\r\n\r\nThe behaviors observed and recorded were Rest, Move, Forage, Groom, Other and Not Visible. For the purpose of this study, we defined ‘Forage’ as the actual act of solid or liquid consumption.\r\n\r\n<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2351" title="ethogram" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/ethogram.jpg" alt="ethogram" width="573" height="205" />\r\n\r\n<strong>Enrichment</strong>\r\n\r\nBrowse: Each day, a wheelbarrow full of browse [Maple — <em>Acer platanoides</em> (Norway), <em>Acer saccharinum</em> (sugar), <em>Acer japonica</em> (Japanese red)], Bamboo — <em>Phyllostachys aureosulcata</em> (yellow groove,) <em>Phyllostachys aurea</em> (golden) or <em>Phyllostachys bisettii</em>, <em>Pseudosasa japonica</em> (arrow), Bradford Pear (<em>Pyrus calleryiana</em>) and/or Mulberry — <em>Morus alba</em> (white) and/or <em>Morus rubra</em> (red) was divided and placed in different locations.\r\n\r\n2.) Fresh Rosemary (<em>Rosmarinus officinalis</em>) Sprigs: Each day, 7-9 sprigs were placed in different locations (photo 5). Prior to being put on the island, the sprigs were rubbed to release more of their herbaceous scent. Ring-tailed lemurs have been observed in the wild ingesting herbs (Soma, 2006).\r\n\r\n3.) Ginger (<em>Zingiber officinale</em>) Essential Oil in Cholla Wood: Essential oils are extractions from plant parts (petals, roots, leaves, bark). Cholla wood is the skeletal part of a cholla cactus (<em>Opuntia sp.</em>). Each day, 7-10 drops of essential oil were placed along each piece of cholla wood (photo 6). Eight pieces of wood were used for this phase. The highly-scented wood was placed in different locations on the island. At the end of each day, the wood was collected and placed in a plastic bag and the next day, additional drops were added so that each consecutive day of the study, the scent on the wood became more concentrated.\r\n\r\n4.) Clay-rich Soil: The island soil is dry and very compact and not readily available or attractive to the lemurs as evidenced by preliminary observations. Each day, 31bs of soil was divided into piles and placed in different locations (photo 7). The enrichment soil was collected and processed to remove any unwanted matter. The soil was stored in a refrigerator prior to use. Primates have been heavily documented as engaging in geophagy (Krishnamani and Mahaney, 2000) (Ganzhorn, 1987) (Pinkus, Susan, Smith, James N.M. and Jolly, Alison, 2006).\r\n\r\n<img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-2353" title="rtlemur" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/rtlemur.jpg" alt="rtlemur" width="429" height="345" />\r\n\r\n<img class="alignright size-full wp-image-2354" title="ginger" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/ginger.jpg" alt="ginger" width="427" height="340" />\r\n<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-2358 aligncenter" title="lemur2" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/lemur2.jpg" alt="lemur2" width="431" height="424" /></p>\r\n\r\nThe Group Scan-sampling Methodology was used for this project. The research team used a stopwatch and data collection sheets for coded entries. For each part of the study, the observers conducted five, 30-minute observations at 3-minute intervals per day for four days between the hours of 10:00am – 2:30pm (1000hr-1430hr). The 3-minute interval was determined to be the best one after conducting preliminary trials with 1-minute and 2-minute intervals. When inclement weather prevented observations, the study continued on the next scheduled day. Temperature and weather conditions were noted on the data sheets: sunny, cloudy, partly sunny or partly cloudy. Four additional observers were involved in data collection to help reduce observer bias. The total observation hours were 50 hours per species. There were 20 observation days. The data were analyzed and entered into histograms with a 5% standard deviation. The information is presented in percentages of time spent engaged in observed activities. The unpaired t test was used to determine significance.\r\n\r\n<strong>Results</strong>\r\n\r\nChart 1 illustrates the activity budget results for the ring-tailed lemurs. The majority of time was spent resting (51%). In comparison, a field study of Malagasy ring-tailed lemurs reported a similar resting budget result (53.7%) (Simmen et al., 2010). The ring-tailed lemurs had significant movement behavior (23%) and grooming behavior (14%). They were not visible a lower percentage of time (9%). Foraging was the least frequent behavior (3%).\r\n\r\n<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2364" title="chart1" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/chart1.jpg" alt="chart1" width="641" height="427" />\r\n\r\n<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2365" title="chart2" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/chart2.jpg" alt="chart2" width="638" height="417" />\r\n\r\nChart 2 illustrates the activity budget results for the red-fronted lemurs. The resting behavior was the dominant behavior (60%). In comparison, a field study of red-fronted lemurs reported a lower resting budget result (47%) (Overdorff, 1996). The 27% increase seen in our lemurs may be a result of the weather and/or age. The red-fronted lemurs were not visible 33% of the time which is more than three times that of the ring-tailed lemurs. This is understandable due to the small sample size: n=2. The movement behavior (3%), grooming behavior (1%), and foraging behavior (2%) results were low.\r\n\r\nThe ring-tailed lemur Chart 3 illustrates their baseline activity as it relates to the enrichment. The resting behavior and ginger/cholla enrichment result was found to be extremely significant (P = 0.0002); and, the resting behavior and soil enrichment result was very significant (P = 0.0096). The movement behavior with ginger/cholla enrichment resulted in a very significant behavioral decrease (P = 0.0094). The foraging results show some degree of activity increase with the forms of enrichment that could be consumed, namely browse, rosemary and soil. The grooming behavior and ginger/cholla enrichment result shows a significant decrease in this behavior (P = 0.0162). The grooming activity and soil enrichment resulted in a significant decrease in the behavior as well (P = 0.0050). There was, however, an increase in the grooming behavior with the rosemary enrichment. The chart illustrates a level of visibility increase with each form of enrichment.\r\n\r\n<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2367" title="graph1" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/graph1.jpg" alt="graph1" width="503" height="348" />\r\n\r\n<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2368" title="graph2" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/graph2.jpg" alt="graph2" width="525" height="378" />\r\n\r\nThe red-fronted lemur Chart 4 illustrates their baseline activity as it relates to the enrichment. There was an increase in resting behavior in the presence of rosemary (P = 0.618), ginger/cholla and soil. There was a significant increase in the movement behavior (P = 0.0428) with browse enrichment. The chart shows an increase in foraging activity in the presence of browse, rosemary and soil. The grooming behavior with browse enrichment resulted in a significant increase in the behavior (P = 0.0435). The chart shows an increase in visibility with each form of enrichment. Rosemary was particularly effective in increasing visibility (P = 0.0073).\r\n\r\n<strong>Discussion</strong>\r\n\r\nThe activity budget results for the ring-tailed lemurs were unexpected. One assumption was they were not visible a significant amount of time when on exhibit. The study showed they were not visible 9% of the time. During the summer, the trees on the island have full canopies and when the lemurs are resting in them, they can be difficult to see until they are pointed out by interpreters. Another assumption was they consumed plenty of island vegetation. The results of the study showed a low percentage of time engaged in vegetation consumption. The activity budget results for the red-fronted lemurs support the assumption that they were not visible a significant amount of time (33%). They spent most of their time resting (60%) which could have been a factor of weather extremes and/or age. Also, they moved less than expected which could have been explained by the weather as well. Like the ring-tails, the red-fronted lemurs did not spend a significant amount of time foraging (2%). One thing that was noted consistently during the observations was both groups tended to forage most when they were initially released on the island and early in the growing season. They ate fresh buds on trees, consumed dried leaves and nibbled on low-lying new growth.\r\n\r\nThe ring-tailed lemurs’ responses to the enrichment forms compared to the baseline activity provided interesting information. The resting behavior increased in the presence of browse, ginger/cholla and soil; and, the resting behavior decreased with the rosemary. They were very attracted to the rosemary and they were observed carrying the sprigs around the island. Their movement showed a slight decrease with the browse and rosemary enrichment and more of a decrease in the presence of ginger/cholla and soil enrichment. Their foraging behavior increased with each form of edible enrichment. They were observed eating the enrichment browse. Also, they readily consumed the soil and were observed increasing their intake of island vegetation. These observations support one of the reasons suggested for geophagy which is to detoxify the system by absorbing tannins and other components found in plants (Johns and Duquette, 1991). The grooming behavior decreased in the presence of browse, ginger/cholla and soil; and, increased with the fragrant rosemary. As was noted above, the ring-tailed lemurs carried the rosemary around the exhibit and the fresh herb, undoubtedly, left its strong scent on their hands and fur which, most likely, caused an increase in the grooming behavior. The other behaviors showed a slight increase with the browse, rosemary and soil. They were not visibly interactive with the ginger/cholla enrichment, even though the scent was prevalent. There were observed instances of displacement among the lemurs which resulted in less enrichment time for particular individuals. There was an increase in visibility with each form of enrichment, in particular, the soil. The ring-tailed lemurs were most visible with the soil present and they were very engaged in soil consumption.\r\n\r\nThe red fronted lemurs’ responses to the enrichment forms compared to the baseline activity results yielded interesting information as well. The chart indicates that they rested less and moved more, foraged more and groomed more with the browse enrichment. They were observed eating the browse. They became more active and were much more visible. A possible reason could be related to an increase in energy levels with the desired foraging matter available. The chart shows an increase in their foraging behavior in the presence of the enrichment forms that were edible, similar to the ring-tailed lemur results. Of note was their increase in other behaviors in the presence of soil. They were observed ingesting the soil. Again, there were instances of lemur displacement and a degree of competition. The red-fronted lemurs did not physically interact with the ginger/cholla enrichment. The strong concentration of scent may have had a repellent effect. Like the ring-tailed lemurs, the red-fronted lemurs were more visible with each form of enrichment offered.\r\n\r\nIn conclusion, the presence of varietal enrichment offered on Lemur Island can have a measurable impact on the activity and visibility of the lemurs. Seasonality was a significant factor in this study. The project was conducted in May, June and July of 2011 with high temperatures and humidity. At times, the lemurs were less active than expected most likely due to the weather conditions. Noteworthy, though, was their heightened attraction to the clay-rich soil. A further study may take a closer look at the interactions of the lemurs with clay-rich soil and its impact on island vegetation consumption.\r\n\r\n<strong>Acknowledgements</strong>\r\n\r\nSmithsonian’s Access to Opportunities Program: – Krista Flores and Emily Shapiro; Ivymount School – great support from Lu Merrick, Laura Klingler, Donna Morere and John Monti; The Primate Unit for great support: Lisa Stevens for project approval, Megan Anderson for being the back-up organizer, Amanda Bania, Marty Dearie, Laurie Thompson, Heather Harl, Becky Malinsky, Erin Stromberg and KC Braesch for lemur shifting and enrichment placement; Eric Kliebert for digging the soil; Heidi Hellmuth – for enrichment support; Brian McLaren, Melinda Whicher &amp; Suzy Alberts – Lemur Island plant IDs; Department of Nutritional Resources for collecting and delivering varietal browse and fresh rosemary – Mike Maslanska, Bill Clements, Karen Lisi, Lisa Schneider, Albert Olsen, Tyrone Savoy, Eric Smith, Bernard Graham, Deb Grupenhoff, Matt Neff, Laurie Smith and Sara Allison; Polly Lasker – NZP Librarian; Dr. Sara Zehr, Research Manager, Duke Lemur Center for species information; Reptile Department – Matt Evans for IDs; Amma Tabirih and Patrice Payne for administrative support; Anthony Hiza and Greg Ose - sounding boards; The Lemurs – Thank you to the red-fronted lemurs - Red Oak and Flare; and the ring-tailed lemurs - Andromeda, Myrto, Ninna and Gelon!\r\n\r\n<strong>Bibliography</strong>\r\n\r\nDierenfeld, Ellen S. and McCann, Colleen M. 1999. Nutrient composition of selected plant species consumed by semi free-ranging lion-tailed macaques (<em>Macaca silenus</em>) and ring-tailed lemurs (<em>Lemur catta</em>) on St. Catherines Island, Georgia, U.S.A. <em>Zoo Biology</em>, 18:481-494.\r\n\r\nGanzhorn, Jorg U. 1987. Soil consumption of two groups of semi-free-ranging lemurs (<em>Lemur catta</em> and <em>Lemur fulvus</em>), <em>Ethology</em>, 74, 146-154.\r\n\r\nJohns, Timothy and Duquette, Martin. 1991. Detoxification and mineral supplementation as functions of geophagy. <em>American Journal of Clinical Nutrition</em> 53:448-456.\r\n\r\nKrishnamani, R and Mahaney William C. 2000. Geophagy among primates: adaptive significance and ecological consequences. <em>Animal Behavior</em>, 59, 899-915.\r\n\r\nOverdorff, Deborah J. 1996. Ecological correlates to activity and habitat use of two prosimian primates:(<em>Eulemur rubriventer</em>) and (<em>Eulemur fulvus rufus</em>) in Madagascar. <em>American Journal of Primatology</em>, 40 :327-342.\r\n\r\nPinkus, Susan, Smith, James N.M. and Jolly, Alison. 2006 Feeding competition between introduced (<em>Eulemur fulvus</em>) and native (<em>Lemur catta</em>) during the birth season at Berenty Reserve, Southern Madagascar. <em>Ring-tailed Lemur Biology</em>, 119-140.\r\n\r\nSimmen, Bruno et al. 2010. Total energy expenditure and body composition in two free-living sympatric lemurs. <em>PloS One</em>, Volume 5, Issue 3.\r\n\r\nSimmen, Bruno et al. 2006. Plant species fed on by (<em>Lemur catta</em>) in gallery forests of the southern Domain of Madagascar. <em>Ring-tailed Lemur Biology</em>, 55-68.\r\n\r\nSoma, Takaya. 2006. Tradition and novelty: <em>Lemur catta</em> feeding strategy on introduced tree species at Berenty Reserve. <em>Ring-tailed Lemur Biology</em>, 141-160.\r\n\r\n<strong>BHC Comments by Enrichment Options Co-Editor Richard Kotarsky:</strong>\r\n\r\nThanks Melba, James, Lawrence and Thomas for sharing your paper with the AAZK membership! This paper is another excellent example of a successful goal-directed enrichment initiative that can be used to solve management issues such as visibility of a popular exhibited species. You did an excellent job with the research into the species’ natural histories and natural behaviors; then designing a plan working towards encouraging a specific behavioral goal such as increased activity and visibility for the zoo visitors. Using the ethogram as a tool for your observations to determine the success of the enrichment and the specific goals for each species is an excellent way to quantify and qualify the results. Lastly, your results clearly show that the presence of goal-based varietal enrichment and something as simple as giving variable choices offered daily on the Lemur Island can have an obvious significant impact on the activity and visibility of the lemurs. Thanks again Melba, James, Lawrence and Thomas. I greatly enjoyed your paper.', 'Part II - Lemur Island Enrichment', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2317-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:18', '2013-10-15 22:49:18', '', 2317, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2317-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3211, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:18', '2013-10-15 22:49:18', '<em>By Leslie Lurz, Animal Keeper\r\nMaureen Leahy, Curator of Primates\r\nLincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL, U.S.A.\r\n<a href="mailto:llurz@lpzoo.org"> llurz@lpzoo.org</a></em>\r\n\r\n<strong>Overview</strong>\r\n\r\nAt Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, Illinois, several adult western lowland gorillas (<em>Gorilla gorilla gorilla</em>) were found to be overweight in 2008. Weight issues are of great concern since obesity in gorillas can result in a variety of health problems, including elevated cholesterol concentrations and premature cardiovascular disease (Gorilla SSP, 2008). In fact, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in captive adult gorillas (Gorilla SSP, 2008; Lammey et al. 2008). Understanding that the maintenance of a gorilla’s optimal body weight may significantly reduce the health risks associated with progressive heart ailments—ranging from aneurism to valvular disease to cardiomyopathy—and Type 2 diabetes (Duffy, 2009; Tordiffe, 2008), animal care staff responded with both dietary and husbandry interventions.\r\n\r\nThis paper demonstrates how changes in husbandry, management, and diet (implemented over a two-year period) effectively promoted weight loss for targeted individuals within the gorillas housed at Lincoln Park Zoo (LPZ). This paper will highlight the case of “Kowali,” a 33-year-old gorilla and one of LPZ’s most significantly overweight adult females, who ultimately lost over 50 pounds [22.7 kg] over the course of two years.\r\n\r\n<strong>Introduction</strong>\r\n\r\nBody-weight management can be a challenging component of animal care. Some animals live a more sedentary lifestyle in zoological settings. Care must be taken to ensure that animals do not become overweight or obese as a result. Given their social nature and the need to provide group foraging opportunities, non-human primate species can be especially challenging. It is often difficult to manage dietary portion control when dominant animals hoard preferred foods and displace subordinate individuals from some foraging opportunities.\r\n\r\nBecause of the complexity of gorilla social structures, scientists theorize that dominant animals may be prone to excess weight gain (Ullery, et al. 2003). The dominant animal tends to determine the time that others spend feeding in any particular location, leaving the subordinate animals to eat only what is left over. This pattern of hierarchical behavior might result in excessive food intake by the dominant animals given their natural social dynamic. This dominant animal theory may explain one of the contributing factors for the weight gain of several gorillas housed at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, Illinois, including the case of one adult female named Kowali.\r\n\r\nKowali resides in one of LPZ’s gorilla troops along with a silverback, two adult females, and her juvenile son. Kowali has a history of above-average weights compared with other LPZ females of similar age. She is also shorter in stature than the other adult female gorillas; as a result, weight increases tend to be more visible on her stout frame. In January 2008, Kowali (then 30 years old) topped the scale at more than 270 pounds, and the zoo’s veterinarians and nutritionist rated her body condition score as obese. A body condition score is defined as an assessment of the animal’s weight-for-age and weight-for-height ratios and its relative proportions of muscle and fat. Having Kowali identified as obese was a catalyst for the animal care staff to come up with creative and new ways to address weight for the gorillas housed at LPZ.\r\n\r\nLPZ’s animal care staff devised a plan that would address diet management and activity for Kowali by focusing on five different goals: (1) incorporating scale training into the husbandry routine to obtain quarterly weights; (2) integrating additional exercise into her daily routine; (3) modifying diet content; (4) varying food presentation; and (5) increasing feeding schedules. The remainder of this paper describes the changes in husbandry practices made at LPZ in an attempt to reduce Kowali’s weight and the results seen from those modifications.\r\n\r\n<strong>Methods</strong>\r\n\r\n<em>Monitoring weights with scale training</em>\r\n\r\nPrior to 2008, animal weights were obtained somewhat opportunistically and often solely during routine physical exams. Since then, keepers have made it a priority to monitor the apes’ weights more closely. Like the majority of LPZ apes, Kowali is now scale trained, meaning she will voluntarily sit on a scale and hold the position long enough to get an accurate weight. Other group members are stationed elsewhere while the focal individual is on the scale. The goal is to weigh each animal quarterly, but some individuals require variation depending on the individual’s health and body condition. Records are kept to monitor their weights, which are reported to other members of our animal care staff, including veterinarians and the nutritionist. Kowali is now typically weighed every three months to closely monitor her weight-loss progress.\r\n\r\n<em>Exercise</em>\r\n\r\nOperant-conditioning training sessions using positive-reinforcement techniques are integral to the husbandry practices at LPZ. The apes participate in individual operant-conditioning training sessions once daily in the morning, and ape groups are alternated to receive an additional afternoon training session. All the apes are trained to present various body parts to allow for visual inspection, hand-injections, and desensitization to other medical props. These sessions also provide an opportunity for keepers to encourage the apes to move about their exhibits and “exercise.”\r\n\r\nIn the case of Kowali, specific efforts were made to have her engage in behaviors that mimicked callisthenic-like exercises during these training sessions. Calisthenics are a dynamic form of exercise that consists of simple movements, often in repetition, to promote muscular and cardiovascular fitness. To facilitate this, her primary trainer devised a shaping plan to condition her to stand, sit, lift her legs, and repeat these movements. Reinforcements for offering a correct behavioral response were fruit, produce, and Mazuri® leaf-eater chow, which were already a part of her normal diet. As a result, there was an increase in her movement and activity level without increasing her caloric intake.\r\n\r\nInitially, it was challenging to motivate an overweight animal like Kowali to exercise, so keepers started slowly with a simple “stand” and “sit” routine. She would stand; then the trainer would bridge, reinforce her, and ask her to sit. The trainer continued to work on this routine, increasing the number of repetitions over time. Next, the duration of her “stand” behavior was increased so that Kowali stood and the trainer asked her to “hold.” In the beginning, she would stand and then creep back down, but she learned quickly that she would not be reinforced if she sat before the cue, which usually terminated the exercise portion of her session. After she was comfortable standing for a longer duration, her established husbandry behaviors were incorporated while she remained standing, including leg lifts (“foot” presentation at various heights on the cage front), mouth, ear, shoulder, arm, chest, belly, etc. The trainer asked her to present these behaviors while she remained standing; Kowali was variably reinforced for her efforts. The sit-and-stand exercise portion remained part of her routine as well. Over time Kowali built up her endurance, so exercise portions of her training session were extended and included more repetitions. Later, the laser pointer was introduced to Kowali’s training routine. Once she learned to touch the laser dot, she locomoted around to follow the dot, touch it, and be reinforced. Once these behaviors were established, any ape keeper could ask her for them if her primary trainer was unavailable. This enabled Kowali to remain consistent with a daily exercise routine.\r\n\r\nKowali’s exercise training was not without its challenges, as she would sometimes appear frustrated when the number of exercise repetitions in her session began to increase. Kowali tried to swipe or bark at the keeper through the mesh barrier. As a result, her primary trainer developed some guidelines to curb her aggression. If she was minimally aggressive (e.g. hand flick directed toward keeper or slight barking), she would receive an LRS (least stimulus response, or three to five seconds with no response from the trainer) and then her session would continue. If she was aggressive a second time, her session would be ended. If she was unacceptably aggressive towards the trainer (e.g. attempted to grab her trainer), her session would be ended immediately. With all other keepers consistently following these criteria, her aggression quickly subsided.\r\n\r\n<em>Kowali’s Diet Modifications</em>\r\n\r\nKowali quickly adjusted to the exercise portion of her weight loss program, but her diet needed to be addressed as well. At Regenstein Center for African Apes, individual diets are formulated by veterinarians and the nutritionist. Gorillas’ daily diet includes fruit, leafy greens, vegetables, starch, and Mazuri® leaf-eater chow. In 2008, with the exception of individual fruit rations, all other diet items were group fed, including Mazuri® leaf-eater chow, which is the most calorically dense item in their diet (See Figure 1, which shows Kowali’s daily diet amounts)…….\r\n\r\n<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n<div style="font-style: italic;"><em><img class="size-full wp-image-2307 alignnone" title="kowali_before1" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/kowali_before1.jpg" alt="kowali_before1" width="338" height="438" /> </em><strong><strong>Kowali before</strong></strong><em> </em><em>(both photos by LPZ staff)</em></div>\r\n<div style="font-style: italic;"></div>\r\n<div style="font-style: italic;"><em>\r\n</em></div>\r\n<div style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-2308" title="kowali_after" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/kowali_after-1024x768.jpg" alt="kowali_after" width="502" height="377" /> </span><strong>Kowali after</strong></div>\r\n<div style="font-style: italic;"></div>\r\n<div style="font-style: italic;"></div>\r\n<div style="font-style: italic;"><strong>\r\n</strong></div>\r\n<div style="font-style: italic;"><strong>Want to read the rest of this article?  For this and many more fascinating articles every month, see Animal Keepers’ Forum.  AKF is available only by being a member of AAZK. <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/join/">JOIN NOW!</a></strong></div>', 'Biggest Loser—Ape Style: How husbandry changes can result in significant weight loss', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2305-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:18', '2013-10-15 22:49:18', '', 2305, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2305-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3212, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:18', '2013-10-15 22:49:18', 'About the Cover/Information for Contributors\r\n\r\nFrom the President\r\n\r\nThe Scoop\r\n\r\nLetters to the Editor\r\n\r\nComing Events\r\n\r\nAAZK Announces New Members\r\n\r\nGeneral Announcements\r\n\r\nCall for Papers For Dedicated Issue of AKF – CHELONIANS\r\n\r\nThank You Commercial Members\r\n\r\nThe Biggest Loser - Ape Style\r\n\r\nA Special Partnership Part I\r\n\r\nEnrichment Options: Lemur Island Enrichment Part II\r\n\r\nTraining Tales (<em>Catch a Tiger by the Tail: The Next Phase of Tiger Training at Disney’s Animal Kingdom®</em>)\r\n\r\nConservation Station (<em>A Conversation for the Conservationist</em>)', 'February 2012', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2302-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:18', '2013-10-15 22:49:18', '', 2302, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2302-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3213, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:18', '2013-10-15 22:49:18', 'About the Cover/Information for Contributors\r\n\r\nScoops &amp; Scuttlebutt\r\n\r\nComing Events\r\n\r\nAAZK Announces New Members\r\n\r\nGeneral Announcements\r\n\r\nFrom the Editor - Toronto Zoo Elephants\r\n\r\nIntroducing 1.1 Andean Condors (<em>Vultur gryphus</em>) at the Knoxville Zoo\r\n\r\nTraining Tales and Enrichment Options Announcements\r\n\r\nBook Review: Animal Investigators: How the World’s First Wildlife Forensics Lab is Solving Crimes and Saving Endangered Species\r\n\r\nSecond Call for Papers - 2012 AAZK National Conference\r\n\r\nPrehensile-tailed Porcupine Anesthesia Crate\r\n\r\nEnrichment Options: Reaching out for Enrichment in Arboreal Monitor Lizards\r\n\r\nResearch in Practice\r\n\r\nAnimal Keepers’ Forum 2011 Index', 'January 2012', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2260-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:18', '2013-10-15 22:49:18', '', 2260, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2260-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3214, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:18', '2013-10-15 22:49:18', '<p style="text-align: center;"><em><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-918" title="training_tales2" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/training_tales2.jpg" alt="training_tales2" width="615" height="197" /></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p style="text-align: left;"><em>By</em>\r\n<em>Allyson Corea, Swing Keeper</em>\r\n<em>Natural Bridge Zoo, Natural Bridge, Virginia</em>\r\n\r\n<em></em>\r\n\r\n<strong>Introduction</strong>\r\n\r\nIn the spring of 2010, the staff at the Natural Bridge Zoo began experiencing behavioral problems with two of our dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius). Juvenile camels, Isabel and Carrie were born in the late fall of 2009. Unfortunately, due to the heavy snows that winter, the camels did not have many opportunities to leave their stall. It wasn’t until the end of April that the weather was warm enough to start keeping the camels outside during the day. We needed to use halters and leads to walk them from the stalls to the petting area, but this proved to be very difficult since the camels had not experienced walking on leads and halters before. Isabel and Carrie would have “tantrums” which often included lots of screaming, kicking and jumping, pulling on the lead, running ahead, and sometimes simply refusing to move. We also needed to address an issue that occurred during feeding time. The camels would rush to the gate upon seeing the arrival of grain, would refuse to back up, and even attempt to eat the grain straight from the bucket. This lack of respect of the zookeeper’s space was a potentially dangerous situation that needed to be resolved. To solve these problems, another zookeeper and I were permitted to implement a training program for walking the camels using operant conditioning. Most of my previous training experience was in canine obedience. This was my first time working with camels, so this was going to be an exciting learning experience for all of us.\r\n\r\n<strong>Preparation</strong>\r\n\r\nTo develop a training plan, we first had to determine appropriate sources of positive reinforcement. Although, bottles were advantageous as motivators, it was not an efficient training reward. Another fact to consider was that the juvenile camels were not used to chewing pieces of fruit. We found that it was difficult for them to grab onto a large chunk of apple or pear. The size of the treat had to be taken into account. If the treat was too large, the amount of time taken to chew it detracted from the training and there was the possibility of the camel’s attention wandering. Grapes were another favored treat, but were too slippery and easily dropped. Finally, we discovered that watermelon cut into small cubes was a quick and healthy treat. Watermelon cubes were easy for camel lips to grab onto, and small enough to prevent the focus of the camels from wandering. We decided to use watermelon cubes as a primary reinforcer, and praise as a conditioned reinforcer. Isabel, in particular, enjoyed grooming sessions, so we used that to our advantage. Brushing the camels every morning also helped to build trust between the camels and the keepers. Such tactile reinforcement was beneficial should we ever need to inspect feet or legs.\r\n\r\nKnowing that consistency is so important, training was to occur every time the camels needed to be walked outside to the petting area, depending on the weather. We also planned for several short training sessions throughout the day. Our two major goals of the training program were to desensitize the camels to the halters and walk the camels calmly without problems. The problems we needed to address during walks were: tantrums, becoming distracted/eating grass, refusing to move, running ahead of the trainer, and crowding the trainer’s space.\r\n\r\n<strong>Training</strong>\r\n\r\nThe first step in our training program was to desensitize Isabel and Carrie to the leads and halters. Initially, both camels would run away or throw a tantrum upon seeing the halters. We realized in this case, the bottle was the best way to get the camels’ focus. During the first few attempts, the camels were haltered as the bottles were given. We incorporated haltering during each bottle time; therefore, it only took a few times for the camels to begin associating the halters with bottles. After re-assessing our strategy, we changed our tactics to haltering first, followed by rewarding good behavior with a bottle. We did this because we wanted to be able to halter a camel at any time, whether or not a bottle was presented.\r\n\r\nOccasionally, Isabel or Carrie would get upset while being haltered, and struggle. In these instances, we would wait for the camel to calm down, and proceed with the behavior. The camel would receive the bottle only after a calm haltering. Tactile reinforcement and praise were also used to encourage a stress-free haltering.\r\n\r\nOnce a camel was successfully haltered, two handlers were required. The primary trainer held the lead rope and treats while an assistant stood towards the back and off to one side, with a staff ready to give a prod in the rump if necessary. During visiting hours, we used an unoccupied enclosure for training sessions. The circular path in the enclosure was easy for the camels to follow while on the lead. Therefore, to ensure that Isabel and Carrie were following our lead and not just the path, we changed the route as often as possible. We included counter-clockwise routes, figure-eights, half- circles, etc.\r\n\r\nIt was important to keep training sessions brief, ensuring they always ended on a positive note. As the camels showed progress, session lengths gradually increased.\r\n\r\nWe learned how to anticipate a tantrum, and prevent it from happening. If a camel began showing signs that she was about to jump-kick, a quick downward jerk of the lead with a simultaneous and firm “No” was applied, similar to canine obedience. The key was to watch the camel’s behavior and posture. A sudden quickening in pace, the camel’s nose in the air and a stiff, outstretched neck were clear…\r\n\r\n<img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-2231" title="camel1" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/camel1-1024x768.jpg" alt="camel1" width="614" height="461" />\r\n\r\n<strong>Walking Isabel.</strong> <em>Photo by Emily Thornton.</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>Want to discover more great training ideas? Become a member of AAZK and get 12 issues of Animal Keepers’ Forum each year featuring this column as well as lots of animal husbandry and enrichment ideas and information. <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/join/">JOIN NOW!</a></strong>', 'Getting Over the Hump: Using Operant Conditioning to Train 0.2 Juvenile Camels', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2230-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:18', '2013-10-15 22:49:18', '', 2230, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2230-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3215, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:18', '2013-10-15 22:49:18', '<em>By\r\nJessica Franck, Keeper\r\nMesker Park Zoo, Evansville, IN</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>Abstract</strong>\r\n\r\nA colobus named Zoe lost multiple infants during, or shortly after, birth before finally giving birth to a surviving infant in November 2009. Zoe’s maternal care was initially inadequate and the infant may also have had some other underlying issues. However, with intense supplemental care the infant was able to remain with Zoe and the social group. She was undersized until about a year of age, but now appears to be a normal colobus.\r\n\r\n<strong>Introduction</strong>\r\n\r\nMesker Park Zoo (MPZ) in Evansville, IN has exhibited Guereza colobus (<em>Colobus guereza</em>) since 1975. Their current housing is an outdoor exhibit [33ft. (10m) Length x 20.5ft. (6.25m)Width x 17ft. (5.2m) Height] connected by a raised chute [42.75ft.(13m)L x 3ft. (0.9m)W x 2ft. (0.6m)H] to three indoor, off-exhibit holding stalls [each 8ft.(2.4m)L x 6ft. (1.8m)W x 8ft. (2.4m)H]. When I started working with the colobus in June 2008, the group consisted of 1.0 Michael (born 24 Dec 1990) and 0.1 Rafiki (born 2 Apr 1989). Michael and Rafiki both had successful reproductive backgrounds at MPZ. Due to a Species Survival Plan (SSP®) recommendation, a second female named Zoe came to MPZ in July 2008.\r\n\r\n<strong>Zoe’s History, Gestation, and Parturition</strong>\r\n\r\nZoe (born 7 Feb 1994) did not have a normal upbringing. She was born at the Houston Zoo to an experienced mother. However, at a young age Zoe went through an apparent depression (thought to be caused by the death of a group member) that included anorexia. Although she was able to remain with her mother and is classified as parent-reared by Taxon and Specimen reports, staff had to provide intensive supplemental care. As a lasting result, Zoe has an unusually close relationship with people. She solicits grooming from caretakers even when conspecifics are nearby.\r\n\r\nZoe was moved to the Oregon Zoo in October 2005 per an SSP® breeding recommendation. While there she had the chance to watch another experienced female raise offspring. Zoe had some difficulty fitting into the group, which consisted of 3.1 colobus (adult male, adult female, and their two juvenile male offspring). It is possible that the stress of the situation contributed to her first stillbirth on 31 January 2007. Her medARKS record mentions the infant had internal hemorrhages suggestive of dystocia. The infant may have succumbed to a hypoxic death since the placenta detached and was delivered intact with the infant. Following the stillbirth, Zoe showed a renewed interest in the other female’s infant (born December 2006) and spent time holding and interacting with her. After Zoe’s second pregnancy was confirmed, the two juvenile males were moved to a separate on-site holding facility. Zoe had a second stillborn infant on 12 September 2007. Once again the medARKS record reports an intact placenta. It also mentions the infant’s low birthweight, 372 grams [13.12oz.] compared to more normal birth weights of around 600 grams [21.16oz.]. The infant also had a congenital anomaly. A third birth occurred on 29 March 2008. This infant lived less than a day with the cause of death determined to be a traumatic cerebral hemorrhage. Even though keepers had prepared for this birth by heavily bedding the holding area, Zoe’s inadequate holding of the infant probably caused the trauma. After this last birth, Zoe was kept separate from the male until her transfer to MPZ.\r\n\r\nZoe’s integration into the colobus group at MPZ in August 2008 went smoothly. She exhibited appropriate behavioral responses to both Michael and Rafiki and within a few weeks it became evident that she had become the dominant female. Based on weight gain, pregnancy was first suspected in late October 2008. By December she was showing a rounded belly and some mammary enlargement. To prepare for the birth, the shelves and limbs were lowered to less than two feet off the ground in early January. Shortly thereafter Zoe was separated from the other two individuals overnight in a bedded stall. Anecdotally, Rafiki was said to be a “baby stealer” - behavior excessively beyond the normal colobus allo-mothering behaviorii, and though she was a good mother, her milk production was non-existent. We thought separating Zoe initially would give us a chance to better monitor her maternal skills and avoid potential trauma caused by having to take a baby back from Rafiki who was a skittish individual.\r\n\r\nOn 21 February 2009, a deceased infant was found in the straw. It was cold to the touch with an intact umbilical cord and placenta. Zoe was calmly sitting on the shelf above it. Unfortunately, the necropsy cooler malfunctioned and the body was frozen. A subsequent lung float test made the vet believe the baby had been stillborn. However, the pathologist who later examined tissue samples believed that the baby had been born alive.\r\n\r\nZoe remained separated from Michael until 5 April 2009. The reintroduction was uneventful. In early June, some bleeding was seen. This discharge was attributed to cycling even though black-and-white colobus are not known to have visible reproductive signalsiii. Based on this suspected cycling, mid-December was thought to be when the baby was due. At the end of her last pregnancy, I was able to feel fetal movement during a grooming session. With another possible pregnancy, I decided to use this component as an opportunity to monitor fetal health. Fetal movement was first suspected on 29 Aug 2009, however it seemed too soon to be feeling anything. An ultrasound was performed on 3 September 2009 and pregnancy was confirmed.\r\n\r\nAfter pregnancy was confirmed, I tried to feel the baby moving at least twice a week. Mammary duct development was reported on 14 September 2009. Overnight separation began 8 November 2009. This time I asked to have Rafiki separated with Zoe, believing that Zoe’s main issue was care for the baby immediately following partruition. However, still believing that Zoe wasn’t due until mid-December, the holding limbs were not yet lowered and I, the primary keeper, left for vacation in California.\r\n\r\nOn 13 November 2009, Zoe gave birth to a live female infant. When keepers performed AM checks, Rafiki was holding the baby. By the time management and veterinary staff formulated a plan for retrieval of the baby, Zoe had retrieved her. However, when she was approached, Zoe dropped the baby from approximately five feet onto the concrete floor. The baby was pulled for a health check. Zoe was also sedated for a health check and clear fluid was expressed from her nipples. Because of Zoe’s inadequacy and a continued worry for latent neurological issues related to being dropped, the baby, named Garnet, was initially hand-reared with the goal of returning her to Zoe as soon as possible. I returned early from my trip on 17 November 2009.\r\n\r\n<strong>Garnet’s Challenges</strong>\r\n\r\nWe did a visual introduction with Zoe and Garnet to gauge Zoe’s interest on the afternoon of 18 November. She was very interested and frantically tried to make contact with her infant. The decision was made to physically reintroduce the infant the following morning. The holding stall was prepped by lowering limbs/shelves to less than 18 inches off the ground and heavily bedding it with straw. The baby was weighed, fed, and measured at 0800hrs and then placed in the stall on her surrogate (a heated bag of fluids covered with furry fabric). Zoe, in her inexperience, focused on the surrogate and not the baby. When Garnet fell off at 1045hrs, she was retrieved and Zoe was pressured to drop the surrogate and then Garnet was returned to her. Zoe held the baby inappropriately, low or upside down at times. When jumping onto limbs she tried to hold the baby with her mouth, a carrying form seen only in olive colobus (Procolobus verus)iv. Staff did not observe any nursing and the decision was made to pull the baby at 1430hrs. Zoe and the baby were put in a squeeze cage where Zoe was given a sedative and then Garnet was pulled from her. Reintroduction was performed again over the next two days with the same results. On 22 November, Rafiki was added to the mix, but Zoe would not let her hold Garnet. I was able to express clear fluid from Zoe’s nipples in the squeeze cage that afternoon and I unsuccessfully attempted to position the baby close to the nipples. Zoe was amazingly tolerant of this interference.\r\n\r\nThe decision was made to anesthetize Zoe on 23 November. We were able to express milk from both nipples and managed to get Garnet to latch on and nurse. At one point, she let go of the nipple and then found it again on her own. We also shaved the area around the areolas to give observers a better visual of nipple location and any nursing. We decided to not pull Garnet that evening. When Zoe was still recovering and being physically supported, the baby nursed from the opposite nipple without much assistance. After Zoe fully awoke, no additional nursing was observed. Garnet would cry and Zoe would appear distressed. Nursing was finally observed again at 1735hrs. No nursing was seen when checked at 2200hrs, but nursing was seen at 0300hrs and throughout the following two days.\r\n\r\nOn Thanksgiving Day, 26 November, Rafiki was put back with the pair. There still appeared to be nursing, but at 1200hrs Garnet appeared to be leaning backward from Zoe. Rafiki had Garnet at 1505hrs, but when Zoe approached she gently let her take the baby back. Something was obviously wrong with the baby at this point. She was leaning backward and wasn’t holding on well. Her color was pale. The decision was made to pull Garnet again. When her condition was assessed, her weight was found to be down over 150 grams [5.29oz.].\r\n\r\nThus began a nightmarish cycle of regurgitation, multiple daily administrations of subcutaneous fluids, and an episode where Garnet’s blood sugar dropped so low she began seizing. She was a different animal. Her motor skill development had regressed. She cried constantly to the point that her voice was hoarse. It took her 10 days to recover to the point that we felt comfortable putting her back with Zoe again during the day.\r\n\r\nAt this point, it seemed clear that something was improper with the nursing. Several problems could include that Garnet was not getting the volume needed or Zoe’s milk was somehow nutritionally lacking or Garnet wasn’t processing the milk properly. We decided to work on supplemental feeding…\r\n<div><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2227" title="franck_2" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/franck_2.jpg" alt="franck_2" width="614" height="461" /></div>\r\n<div><strong>\r\n</strong></div>\r\n<div><strong>Feeding Garnet in the Creep Cage. </strong> <em>Photo by Jessica Franck.</em></div>\r\n<div><em>\r\n</em></div>\r\n<div><strong>Want to read the rest of this article?  For this and many more fascinating articles every month, see Animal Keepers’ Forum.  AKF is available only by being a member of AAZK. <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/join/">JOIN NOW!</a></strong></div>', 'Supplemental-raising of a Guereza Colobus (Colobus guereza) Infant', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2226-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:18', '2013-10-15 22:49:18', '', 2226, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2226-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3216, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:18', '2013-10-15 22:49:18', 'About the Cover/Information for Contributors\r\n\r\nScoops &amp; Scuttlebutt\r\n\r\nFrom the President\r\n\r\nAAZK Chapters Help Underwrite AKF Production\r\n\r\nComing Events\r\n\r\nAAZK Announces New Members/Chapter News\r\n\r\nGeneral Announcements\r\n\r\nFarewell Letter from Susan Chan\r\n\r\nSpecial Editorial and Interview on the Private Ownership of Exotic Animals\r\n\r\nTraining Tales (<em>Using Operant Conditioning to Train 0.2 Juvenile Camels</em>)\r\n\r\nSupplemental-raising of a Guereza Colobus (<em>Colobus guereza</em>) infant\r\n\r\nBook Review: <em>Beaded Lizards &amp; Gila Monsters, Captive Care &amp; Husbandry</em>\r\n\r\nIntroduction of 1.1 Hand Reared African Wild Dog Pups (<em>Lycaon pictus</em>) to 1.0 Surrogate-reared Pup and Subsequent Formation of a Pack with 0.2 Adults\r\n\r\nSecond Call for Papers - 2012 AAZK National Conference\r\n\r\nConservation/Legislative Update', 'December 2011', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2223-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:18', '2013-10-15 22:49:18', '', 2223, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2223-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3217, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:19', '2013-10-15 22:49:19', '<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-916" title="training_tales1" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/training_tales1-1024x328.jpg" alt="training_tales1" width="574" height="184" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p style="text-align: left;"><em>By </em>\r\n<em>Jennifer Gale, Animal Enrichment Keeper</em>\r\n<em>CuriOdyssey at Coyote Point, San Mateo, CA</em>\r\n<p style="text-align: left;"><em></em></p>\r\n<p style="text-align: left;"><span>Training captive animals to receive vaccinations cooperatively is a goal of many animal keepers.  Cooperative operant conditioning helps to develop trusting relationships with keepers, lessens stress on both animals and keepers during medical procedures and can enrich the animals </span>by providing them the opportunity to learn and choose to participate in reinforcing behaviors.</p>\r\n<p style="text-align: left;">The necessity to train our 2.0 North American raccoons (<em>Procyon lotor</em>), Lancelot and Merlin, became clear when rabies (every three years) and distemper (annually) vaccinations weren’t being reliably delivered with the use of an injection pole handled by our veterinarian.  Sometimes the needle would bend resulting in only half of a dose being given, or the needle would not stay fixed onto the injection pole, creating a hazardous situation for the raccoons having the opportunity to play with or chew on the syringe and needle while keepers would attempt to get the syringe back by any means possible. This usually resulted in more fear and distrust on the part of the raccoons.</p>\r\n<p style="text-align: left;">September 2007:  After watching a vaccination session go wrong, I decided to come up with a solution for all future injections for the eight-year-old raccoon brothers, Lancelot and Merlin.  The question was: How could I create an injection chute at little to no cost?  I began researching on many of the zoo keeper websites and newsletters (AZA, ABMA, AAZK) and decided to create a vertical chute like one I had seen built horizontally for otters using a large PVC pipe cut in half and attached to the caging.  Instead of purchasing a large PVC pipe, I searched around our Keeper Building for free supplies that would work.  I found a pile of old metal mesh pieces and decided that because it was pliable and free, I would make it work. I knew that it wouldn’t be a permanent fixture, so I was able to use duct tape to protect the raccoons from the edges of the mesh and found cable ties and four carabineers from old staff uniforms to attach the mesh “chute” vertically in the corner of one of the raccoon indoor runs.</p>\r\n<p style="text-align: left;"><span>Desensitizing to the new chute was the first step toward the final goal of reliable cooperative injections.  I was able to move through the process fairly quickly due to the fact that the raccoons were accustomed to their nightquarter’s furniture being changed and redesigned on a daily basis by Keeper staff.   The first step was attaching the chute to the inside corner of the run and allowing the boys to look at it, smell and touch it, which I would bridge and feed for, using their daily diet (Lancelot also enjoyed sitting on top of the chute). </span></p>\r\n<p style="text-align: left;"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2200" title="raccoon_chute" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/raccoon_chute.jpg" alt="raccoon_chute" width="440" height="587" /></p>\r\n\r\nHand cues were used to position the raccoons.  Here is the sit cue.\r\n<em> Photo by Megan Hankins, Animal Keeper, CuriOdyssey</em>\r\n<p style="text-align: left;">Once Lancelot and Merlin had no fear of the new object, we took the next step…</p>\r\n<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Want to discover more great training ideas? Become a member of AAZK and get 12 issues of Animal Keepers’ Forum each year featuring this column as well as lots of animal husbandry and enrichment ideas and information. <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/join/">JOIN NOW!</a></strong></p>', 'Injection Training 2.0 North American Raccoons (Procyon lotor)', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2199-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:19', '2013-10-15 22:49:19', '', 2199, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2199-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3218, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:19', '2013-10-15 22:49:19', '<em>By</em>\r\n<em>Stephen Schulze and Kenton Kerns, Small Mammal House Keepers</em>\r\n<em>Smithsonian’s National Zoo, Washington, DC</em>\r\n\r\n<em></em>\r\n\r\n<strong>Introduction</strong>\r\n\r\nThe reintroduction of an individual meerkat (<em>Suricata suricatta sp.</em>) to its family group, once it has been rejected and driven out, is notoriously difficult.  Carelessly managed, reintroduction can result in severe cage mate trauma or death.  For this reason, many zoos with meerkats in their collections wind up with rejected individuals living in isolation, a poor situation for a social animal and a strain on zoo resources.  The Small Mammal House at Smithsonian National Zoological Park has had three instances of successful meerkat reintroductions, using a strategy of protected proximity and rotational pairing of non-aggressive members from the group with the ostracized individual.  Exhibit design, common sense, and conscientious observation all contribute to successful management of this delicate process.\r\n\r\n<strong>Natural History</strong>\r\n\r\n<em>Suricata suricatta siricata</em>, the slender tail meerkat, belongs to the family Herpstidae, and is a highly socialized species of mongoose.  Its habitat ranges throughout the southern Kalahari Desert, including areas of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe.  This is a mongoose adapted to a dual environment.  The summer months (October to April) bring intense heat, but may also offer short periods of rain and a brief abundance of plant and insect life.  The dry winter months (May to September) bring shorter days and cooler temperatures, but offer fewer and scarcer resources across the grasslands.\r\n\r\nAccordingly (we speculate), meerkat strategies for breeding and population control relate directly to an environment that alternates scarcity and abundance.  Females compete for dominance within a family, and theoretically only the alpha pair breeds.  To preserve their breeding prerogative, alpha females might drive rival beta females from the group, permanently or temporarily.  (Beta females, rival or not, do manage to breed, some by meeting roving males from other meerkat groups and some by copulation with beta males within the home group.)  Infanticide between rival dames is common and can cut both ways within a family, with alphas killing beta offspring and betas killing alpha litters, attempting then to substitute their own offspring under alpha care.  These behaviors carry from the wild into captivity and may strongly challenge the stability of a captive group.\r\n\r\n<strong>Provenance and Early Captive History of Small Mammal House Group</strong>\r\n\r\nThe six adult individuals that originally comprised our current collection of meerkats were wild-caught, possibly trapped for removal from private property.  Beyond their wild origin, we know nothing of their provenance.  We had to guess their age(s), settling on a mean of four years, given estimates from various sources.  Based on the voluntary separation of one female individual from the group, we suspected that they were not trapped as a cohesive family, but that the one female, and possibly a beta male, were introduced upon capture.  The stress of capture and transport might account for the relative bonding of the six while in quarantine and upon release into their exhibit space.\r\n<p style="text-align: left;"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2197" title="meerkat_totem" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/meerkat_totem.jpg" alt="meerkat_totem" width="538" height="717" /></p>\r\n<p style="text-align: left;">Meerkat Group at the Small Mammal House (<em>Photo by National Zoo)</em></p>\r\n<p style="text-align: left;">The group was reported to have been skittish and reclusive throughout their 30-day quarantine period, which ended 11 April ‘06.  However, within several days of occupying their exhibit, the group was active on the surface throughout the day and engaged in play, social digging, and foraging behaviors.  Well within a week they were acclimated to the proximity of a keeper at their holding space with the door open, eagerly feeding on mealworms lightly scattered by hand.  Inter-adult aggression had been reported first on 6 July ‘06, and it intensified with intervening lulls throughout the month.  All of the aggression that we observed at that time was female to female.  Males were not observed to have taken part in female hierarchal challenges or alpha female assertions of dominance.  Indeed, they behaved as if utterly indifferent.  Pup vocalizations were first heard 6 August ’06, 103 days after introduction to the exhibit.  These first offspring were almost certainly sired and birthed by the alpha male and female couple, respectively named M’bira and Kora.</p>\r\n\r\nOne incident of serious aggression was closely observed on 25 July ‘06 involving Kora and a beta female acting as her ally against a third beta female who proved to be pregnant.   The primary attacker was not Kora but her beta ally.  Together they harassed the beta from opposing sides snarling, growling, and barking.  The technique of attack involved sidling or backing toward the opponent, maneuvering until she was distracted enough by Kora for her ally to whirl and bite.\r\n\r\nThe two incidents of reintroduction that we will relate involved Kora and Baya, one of her female offspring (born 2 Feb. 07).  By May of ‘09 the composition of the family group had changed dramatically from its original configuration, consisting now of five members: the original alpha pair (M’bira and Kora) and three of their offspring from two separate litters (male Ngoni born 2 Feb. 07, and female Baya and male Dogo born 9 May 07).\r\n\r\n<strong>Exhibit Design</strong>\r\n\r\nThe exhibit provides three types of space for the group: a tunnel system, a surface foraging area, and two off-exhibit holds, one for feeding, the other a toilet area.  The tunnel system consists of sections of joined four-inch PVC drainage pipe (corrugated, black) forming one main, semicircular corridor approximately 24 ft. length that branches into several lesser corridors, all but one leading to a surface opening.  Having multiple entry/exits enhances the groups’ sense of safety.  The sole terminal corridor leads to the group lair, a fiberglass hollow that resembles a large rock.  Stone blocks line the exterior of the tunnel system and hide it from sight.  Large stones are piled high in several places, providing lookout locations for the group.  In the center of the exhibit, forming its point of focus, is a half   igloo structure of stone.  The substrate consists of sand, plenty enough to dig and sift through, but nowhere deep enough to tunnel into.  Several logs, some hollow, some solid, add interest and variety.\r\n\r\nThe exhibit is situated below a sizable skylight.  High wind, severe weather, and passing birds consistently attract the meerkats’ attention and help to simulate a realistic environment with natural stimulations.  Holding spaces are located on either side at the rear end of the exhibit, with access to them regulated by guillotine shift doors.  Each is roughly a four-and-a half-foot cube.  Meerkats mark their territorial parameters with their feces.  Not surprisingly, their toilet area is of their choosing, as far from the lair as possible, located in the holding, left of the entrance door.  The right holding contains food and water.\r\n\r\n<strong>Incident One</strong>\r\n\r\nNo major incidents of aggression occurred in the main meerkat group since October 2007.  By this time, both Kora and her beta daughter Baya were receiving six-month contraceptive implants throughout the year to keep the group stable at five individuals.  On 13 May ‘09, Kora was implanted with a new hormonal contraceptive injected subcutaneously between the scapulas.  The implant was expected to prevent pregnancy for approximately two years.  A few days after implantation, a weeping lesion was observed at the intrascapular site.  Kora was quickly isolated, and under veterinary examination the rejected contraceptive was removed.  The lesion was further opened and flushed to clean the wound and prevent infection, and a new implant was placed caudally to the original site.  Once Kora recovered fully from anesthesia, she was returned to the group.  No more than three hours passed between her removal and return.  No aggression was seen immediately.\r\n\r\nLater that afternoon during feeding, keepers noticed Baya scent marking one of the entrances to the tunnels and blocking Kora each time she attempted to leave the tunnels.  When Kora did finally emerge, Baya attempted to tear at the open wound (the original injection site) that was now bleeding.  Kora again retreated to the tunnel.  Baya pursued her and soon re-emerged looking as though she had an earthworm dangling from her jaws.  Fearing it to be a strip of flesh from Kora’s lesion, we decided to immediately remove Baya and isolate her from the group by means of a wire mesh screen secured between the exhibit space and the food hold.\r\n\r\nKeepers were unable to successfully separate the animals while they were above ground.  They entered the exhibit, removed the rockwork façade, and began to systematically dismantle a portion of the tunnel system.  The segmented structure of the system proved useful, as we were able to isolate the group within a single ten-foot section, plug one end, then detach the other and plug it in turn.  The entire section was removed to a secure, smaller space.  Baya was safely netted, and then one by one the other meerkats were examined for wounds….\r\n\r\n<strong>Want to read the rest of this article?  For this and many more fascinating articles every month, see Animal Keepers’ Forum.  AKF is available only by being a member of AAZK. <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/join/">JOIN NOW!</a></strong>', 'Managing Meerkat Reintroductions: Keeping Peace in the House', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2196-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:19', '2013-10-15 22:49:19', '', 2196, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2196-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3219, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:19', '2013-10-15 22:49:19', 'About the Cover/Information for Contributors\r\n\r\nScoops &amp; Scuttlebutt\r\n\r\nAAZK Chapters Help Underwrite AKF Production\r\n\r\nZoo Keeper Retires after 45-Year Career\r\n\r\nComing Events\r\n\r\nAAZK Announces New Members\r\n\r\nICZ Announces International Congress on Zookeeping\r\n\r\nCall for Papers for AKF Dedicated Issue on Chelonians\r\n\r\nFirst Call for Papers, 2012 AAZK National Conference in Syracuse\r\n\r\nVery Important Reminders from the AAZK Administrative Office\r\n\r\nBowling for Rhinos Aims for Record Year\r\n\r\nTraining Tales (<em>Injection Training 2.0 North American Raccoons</em>)\r\n\r\nManaging Meerkat Reintroductions:  Keeping Peace in the House\r\n\r\nBook Review:  <em>Understanding Animal Welfare</em>\r\n\r\nEnrichment Options:  A Review of Reptile and Amphibian Enrichment at the Bronx Zoo\r\n\r\nBig Birds with Big Problems (AZA Ratite TAG)\r\n\r\nConservation Station:  Reducing Your Carbon “Paw” Print\r\n\r\nConservation/Legislative Update', 'November 2011', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2191-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:19', '2013-10-15 22:49:19', '', 2191, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2191-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3220, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:19', '2013-10-15 22:49:19', '<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-1475 aligncenter" title="training_tales3" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/training_tales3.jpg" alt="training_tales3" width="476" height="102" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p style="text-align: left;"><em>By Barbara Heidenreich, Animal Training and Consulting Services, Good Bird Inc.,</em>\r\n<em>Erik Corredor, Dallas Zoo and Nathan Compton, Dallas Zoo</em>\r\n<p style="text-align: left;"></p>\r\n\r\n<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Introduction</strong>\r\nThe Wings of Wonder section of the Dallas Zoo is home to a variety of raptor and new world vulture species. The recently refurbished exhibit is primarily designed to give zoo guests the opportunity to view these impressive birds of prey in their large, attractive and naturalistic enclosures. There is an additional goal of obtaining reproductive success with a number of the species on display. To date a pair of King Vultures (Sarcoramphus papa) has successfully reproduced while housed at the refurbished Wings of Wonder.\r\n<p style="text-align: left;">In the past caring for exhibit and birds in reproduction programs has usually involved a “less is more approach.” The idea being that the fewer disturbances a keeper makes in a bird’s life, the more likely the bird is to show behaviors indicating comfort and therefore potentially breed. However, with the addition of an animal training consultant and zoo keeping staff members with experience and interest in training, it was decided a different approach could prove successful.</p>\r\n<p style="text-align: left;">In 2007 it was decided a proactive approach to training would be implemented for the birds in Wings of Wonder. The goal was to train as many birds as possible for behaviors that would facilitate husbandry and daily care.  Initially several of the vulture species were identified as excellent training candidates. The criteria used to determine this was the level of comfort in close proximity to keepers and their willingness to accept food from keepers.  A female Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus) was involved in the training program until her transfer to another facility. The King Vultures were successfully trained to target, shift, enter a kennel, present a foot, and allow tactile to the chest. They also bred and raised offspring and participated in training throughout the process. The offspring also learned to target and stand on a scale.</p>\r\n<p style="text-align: left;">As training proved to produce positive results it was decided to consider adding other candidates to the training roster. Another bird that demonstrated a high level of comfort in the presence of the keepers was a female Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja) named Killa (pronounced kee ya).</p>\r\n\r\n<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>The Training Candidate</strong>\r\nThe Harpy Eagle is one of the largest species of eagle. They can weigh from ten to 20 pounds and have a six-and-a-half-foot wingspan. Their talons are comparable in size to the claws of a grizzly bear.  They feed primarily on animals that live in the trees, like sloths, monkeys, opossums, and some reptiles and birds. Harpy Eagles are highly maneuverable fliers and strike their prey after a rapid pursuit through the trees.\r\n<p style="text-align: left;">Killa was hatched in 2002 at the Avian Propagation Center at the San Diego Zoo. Hatched in an incubator, she was then hand-raised using techniques to avoid imprinting on humans. While in the brooder she was covered with a towel, set behind a curtain, and a CD of rainforest sounds was used to drown out the sounds of human voices. During feeding keepers placed a sheet over their heads and used a Harpy Eagle puppet to deliver food.</p>\r\n<p style="text-align: left;">Because of her large size and power, birds such as Killa have traditionally been regarded as potentially dangerous. For safety purposes the Dallas Zoo policy requires that a keeper is only allowed to enter her enclosure if another keeper is present. However what keepers observed was a bird that appeared quite comfortable in the presence of people. She had never been observed to present aggressive behavior. Nor did she demonstrate a fear response. This in part may be the result of her experiences as a chick with humans at the Avian Propagation Center. Other individual birds in Wings of Wonder such as the much smaller Ornate Hawk Eagle (<em>Spizaetus ornatus</em>) would show overt aggressive behavior, flying directly at keepers. The Spectacled Owls (<em>Pulsatrix perspicillata</em>) showed extreme fear responses and escape behavior when keepers were present. Compared to these individuals Killa appeared to be a training candidate with excellent potential.</p>\r\n<p style="text-align: left;">With the permission of the curator Killa became the next training subject for the Wings of Wonder team.</p>\r\n<p style="text-align: left;"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2170" title="harpy_eagle" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/harpy_eagle.jpg" alt="harpy_eagle" width="800" height="601" /></p>\r\n<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Harpy Eagle at Dallas Zoo</strong> <em> (Photo: ZooChat.com)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<div>\r\n<div><strong>Initial Training</strong></div>\r\n<div>Traditional raptor training practices often involve capturing and restraining a bird to get a bird on a scale to determine a “starting” weight for training. However, the process of grabbing and restraining a bird against its will is contradictory to the goals of a positive reinforcement training program. Furthermore knowing the weight of an animal is not necessarily important to reaching training goals. While the information can be of interest for evaluating health, it is not required to train an animal.  Instead keepers tried to ascertain based on observations, the amount of food Killa typically ate in a day.  They also observed her responsiveness to food when she was relaxed and comfortable. More or less food could be added or removed from the diet based on her response during a training session to maintain an adequate level of interest in training. This amount changed in correlation with the time of year. Colder temperatures meant an increase in diet. Warmer weather meant a decrease.</div><br>\r\n<div>Because Killa showed a high level of comfort around people she readily took food from keepers in the first training session. Per zoo policy the food was offered from hemostats as opposed to hands. Training was initiated with keepers outside of the enclosure. The first behavior Killa learned was to target. The target was a blue plastic circle attached to a dog clip. The target could be hung on the outside of the cage near the eagle. At first food was held near the target. Killa learned to touch the blue target with her beak to earn the food reinforcer. In the early stages of training, the target became a useful tool to call Killa to the front of the cage for keeper talks. This offered zoo guests a great opportunity to see the impressive wingspan of a Harpy Eagle as she flew to the front of the enclosure.</div>\r\n<div>The target was also used to call her to the back of the cage to work on training other behaviors. To initiate introduction of a kennel, the target was used as a means to pair reinforcers with the kennel. The kennel was placed outside of the enclosure and Killa was reinforced for targeting nearby.</div><br>\r\n<div><strong>Success Leads to More Training Goals</strong></div>\r\n<div>As hoped, Killa learned quickly and was an eager participant. In addition her continued calm demeanor helped increase the teams’ confidence that the presentation of aggressive behavior would be very unlikely. Because of this keepers moved from training outside of the enclosure to training inside.</div><br>\r\n<div>Very quickly Killa learned to…….</div><br>\r\n<div><strong>Want to discover more great training ideas? Become a member of AAZK and get 12 issues of Animal Keepers’ Forum each year featuring this column as well as lots of animal husbandry and enrichment ideas and information. <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/join/">JOIN NOW!</a></strong></div>\r\n</div>', 'Harpy Eagle Training:  Exploring the Potential of Positive Reinforcement', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2169-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:19', '2013-10-15 22:49:19', '', 2169, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2169-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3221, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:19', '2013-10-15 22:49:19', 'About the Cover/Information for Contributors\r\n\r\nScoops &amp; Scuttlebutt\r\n\r\nNew Orleans  Chapter Sponsorship Recognition\r\n\r\nAAZK Announces New Members\r\n\r\nICZ 2012 Second Call for Papers\r\n\r\nComing Events\r\n\r\nFrom the President\r\n\r\nTrees for You and Me - Chapter Challenge\r\n\r\nFrom the Executive Director - Chapter Recognitions\r\n\r\nAKF Editor Receives Lifetime Achievement Award\r\n\r\n2011 National AAZK Conference Wrap-up\r\n\r\nBowling for Rhinos 2011 Update/Trip Recipients\r\n\r\nTraining Tales (<em>Harpy Eagle</em>)\r\n\r\nBird Window Collision Monitoring at the Philadelphia Zoo: Setting Up an AAZK Citizen Science Project\r\n\r\nAKF Dedicated Six-Issue Combo Pack on Sale\r\n\r\nAlligator Care at the Virginia Living Museum\r\n\r\nChapter News\r\n\r\nEnrichment Options (<em>Art: Enrichment for Animals and Keepers Alike</em>)\r\n\r\nConservation/Legislative Update', 'October 2011', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2157-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:19', '2013-10-15 22:49:19', '', 2157, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2157-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3222, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:19', '2013-10-15 22:49:19', '<a href="http://www.ncaazk.com/2013nationalconference.htm"><img class="size-full wp-image-2602 alignnone" title="2013_logo_small" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/2013_logo_small.jpg" alt="2013_logo_small" width="173" height="88" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href="http://www.ncaazk.com/2013nationalconference.htm">Greensboro, NC</a><br>\r\n\r\n22-26 September 2013', '2013 AAZK National Conference', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2144-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:19', '2013-10-15 22:49:19', '', 2144, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2144-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3223, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:19', '2013-10-15 22:49:19', '<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-825" title="enrichment_options" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/enrichment_options.jpg" alt="enrichment_options" width="482" height="189" />\r\n\r\n<em>By\r\nDeborah Wettlaufer, Enrichment Officer\r\nCheetah Outreach\r\nCape Town, South Africa</em>\r\n\r\nOur caracal (<em>Caracal caracal</em>) is very food-motivated and always eats rapidly.  Because she lacks her back molars, we cannot give her small bones, such as chicken on the bone, but we sometimes give her large turkey or horse bones to prolong feeding.  As a special treat, she is occasionally given a ‘bloodsicle’ made of frozen blood and pieces of meat.  To provide more of a challenge, I decided to hang a larger bloodsicle for her.  I froze blood and 150g (~5.3 oz.) of turkey pieces in a medium-sized plastic container with a string with knots inserted through a hole in the middle of the top so it would freeze in the center of the bloodsicle.\r\n\r\nTo make it even more interesting for her, we hung the bloodsicle from a bungee feeder.  The bungee feeder consists of one meter of bungee cord with one end attached to a length of nylon cord with a clip on the end to attach it to the top of the enclosure.  The other end also has a clip from which various food items can be attached.  The bungee cord is contained within one meter of garden hose to prevent it from wrapping around any of the animal’s extremities or swinging back in the animal’s face.\r\n\r\nAfter we hung the bloodsicle, she immediately came to investigate it.  At first she seemed a little confused about how to approach it since she is used to her bloodsicles on a flat surface.  She tried to lick the bloodsicle from a standing position but every time she licked it, it moved about.  She constantly moved around it to gain a better position, batting at it and trying to grab it when it moved.    Eventually she figured out that sitting down and holding it with one paw kept it from moving around so she could lick continuously.  If the bloodsicle moved at all, she dug her claws in deeper to stabilize it.  As blood dripped on to her fur, she stopped a few times to clean herself, and then resumed licking.  While licking, she appeared as though she was in a trance, oblivious to everything around her.<img class="alignright size-full wp-image-2104" title="caracal_bloodsicle" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/caracal_bloodsicle.jpg" alt="caracal_bloodsicle" width="417" height="620" />\r\n\r\nAs she licked the bloodsicle, the meat at the bottom gradually was exposed and she became very excited.  She tried a new tactic of grabbing the meat with her teeth and trying to rip it out of the bloodsicle.  Occasionally she tried to carry the whole bloodsicle off but it bounced away from her and she ran after it, grabbed it and began ripping at the meat again.  She worked at it until the bloodsicle and meat were gone.\r\n\r\nWe considered this exercise successful in that it prolonged feeding, challenged her cognitive skills and kept a very intelligent and active cat busy for almost 45 minutes.\r\n\r\n<strong>BHC Comments by Enrichment Options Co-Editor Julie Hartell-DeNardo:</strong>\r\nDeborah, thank you for sharing your paper with the AAZK Forum readers.  This is a great example of using a food presentation-based enrichment strategy to increase both the behaviors involved in food consumption as well as the amount of time spent engaged in food acquisition-related behaviors.  The animal is stimulated mentally to figure out how to obtain the more challenging and enticing food.  Additionally the caracal participated in more physical activity, using more muscles and energy than it would if just presented with food in a routine location.  This creative feeding strategy could be effective with other small carnivore species or even large carnivores – or if the meat and blood are substituted for produce and juice this idea may even translate into primate species applications.\r\n\r\nSome safety considerations to keep in mind with bungee and rope enrichment components is to:\r\n\r\n•   ensure no loops exists that could act to trap an appendage or head,\r\n•   determine a length that minimizes slack and prevents the possibility of excess to wrap around an animal or body part, and\r\n•   when possible, enclose rope/bungees in pvc or other piping that can act to stabilize the length of the rope/bungee and prevents wrap around or dangerous loops from forming while the animal is engaged with the enrichment.\r\n\r\nThanks again to Deborah for this fantastic idea with diverse potential applications!\r\n\r\n<strong>Want to discover more great enrichment ideas? Become a member of AAZK and get 12 issues of Animal Keepers’ Forum each year featuring this column as well as lots of animal husbandry, enrichment and training information. <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/join/">JOIN NOW!</a></strong>', 'Bloodsicle on a Bungee Feeder for Caracals', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2103-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:19', '2013-10-15 22:49:19', '', 2103, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2103-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3224, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:19', '2013-10-15 22:49:19', '<em>By Christopher Torge, Animal Keeper; Victoria Shaw, Animal Keeper;\r\nKim Szawan, Animal Keeper;Tim Pinkerton, Zoological Manager,\r\nDisney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge®, Orlando, FL</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>Introduction</strong>\r\nRuppell’s griffon vultures (<em>Gyps rueppellii</em>) are found throughout Central Africa.  They have an average wingspan of 2.4 meters and weigh an average of eight kilograms.  This species of vulture is listed as “near threatened” according to the IUCN.  Issues affecting their declining population numbers include habitat loss due to encroaching farm land, loss of their main food source: wild ungulates, and poisoning.  Poisoning and death occur after vultures consume the remains of livestock treated with the commonly used anti-inflammatory medication, Diclofenac.  Conservation efforts are underway to stop the use of Diclofenac, replacing it with medications not lethal to vulture species.\r\n\r\nDisney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is a 110-acre African-themed vacation resort.   Guests staying at this resort are surrounded by 45 acres of animal habitat viewable from their private rooms, as well as from common guest areas and a restaurant.  The animal collection consists of 35 species of African hoofstock and birds separated into four separate mixed-species habitats.  Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge®, which opened in 2001, has historically always had Ruppell’s griffon vultures as part of its animal collection.\r\n\r\nIn the winter of 2009, the flock of Ruppell’s griffon vultures housed at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge® welcomed two new members.  Two chicks hatched out on 8January  and 10 January from two sets of parents.  This was the first time this species ever hatched at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge®, and the animal care staff had been eagerly waiting for these hatchings to occur.  Although both sets of parents had never raised chicks before, the staff was optimistic that the birds would be successful parents.  This paper will discuss the challenges the animal care staff faced when one set of the inexperienced parents proved to be unable to raise their chick by themselves.  The methods used to successfully assist these parents in raising their chick in an 11-acre mixed-species exhibit is the focus of this paper.\r\n\r\n<strong>Challenges</strong>\r\nDuring the first five days, the chick appeared in good health.  The parents were observed offering regurgitated food to the chick and all seemed normal.  The neonate exam on Day 2 went well and no issues or concerns were noted at that time.  The initial plan was to leave the chick with the parents for rearing.  The first sign of challenges began on Day 6.  These challenges included lack of parental feeding, cold weather, and protective parents.\r\n\r\n<strong>Medical</strong>\r\nOn Day 6 the chick was unresponsive and lethargic and was transported to the veterinary hospital for evaluation.  Upon examination it was noted that the chick’s crop was empty and she had lost 18 grams in four days.  The chick was tube fed and held overnight for observations.  Within 12 hours the bird’s condition improved greatly and she started taking small pieces of chopped mouse pinkies offered with forceps.  Our assumptions were that the parents were taking care of the chick in all aspects, except adequate feeding.  We decided to return the chick to the nest and developed a supplemental feeding and weighing schedule, instead of pulling the chick for traditional hand-rearing.\r\n\r\n<strong>Feeding Issues and Solutions</strong>\r\nDuring the discussion of how to raise this chick, the animal care staff identified that the two priorities were to be able to feed the chick reliably on a set schedule, and to reduce imprinting on the keeper staff.   The parents had been constantly brooding and protecting the nest site, so the staff felt that leaving the chick with the parents and only assisting with its feeding was the best approach to lessen the likelihood of imprinting on the animal care staff.  A feeding and weighing schedule was implemented and a core group of keepers were assigned to handle these responsibilities.  The average temperatures in Central Florida in January 2009 were lower than normal.  Daytime temperatures remained in the 40’s and it wasn’t uncommon to have temperatures dip into the low 30’s overnight.  Initially the chick had to be pulled from the nest and placed into a heated brooder during its feeding sessions.\r\n\r\n<strong>Protective Parents</strong>\r\nDue to the protective nature of its parents, removing the chick from the nest proved to be a challenge.  Nets and large metal shields were used to encourage the parents away from the nest.   Once at a safe distance, keepers were able to safely remove the chick, place it in the brooder located in the back of a pickup truck several yards away from the nest site, and commence with the scheduled feeding.  Once the chick was returned to the nest, the parents quickly started to brood the chick again.   This method proved ……..\r\n\r\n<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2101" title="vulture_chick" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/vulture_chick.jpg" alt="vulture_chick" width="539" height="407" />\r\n\r\n<strong> Food items handed to the adult female by keeper staff being fed to the chick.</strong>\r\n\r\n<em>(Photo by Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge ® Animal Care Staff)</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>Want to read the rest of this article?  For this and many more fascinating articles every month, see Animal Keepers’ Forum.  AKF is available only by being a member of AAZK. <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/join/">JOIN NOW! </a></strong>', 'A Different Approach to Raising a Ruppell’s Griffon  Vulture (Gyps rueppellii) Chick by Utilizing Both  Hand-Rearing and Parent-Rearing Techniques', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2100-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:19', '2013-10-15 22:49:19', '', 2100, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2100-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3225, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:19', '2013-10-15 22:49:19', 'About the Cover/Information for Contributors\r\nScoops &amp; Scuttlebutt\r\nIndianapolis Chapter Sponsorship Recognition\r\nFrom the Executive Director\r\nAAZK Seeks Assistant Media Production Editor\r\nFrom the Immediate Past President\r\nComing Events\r\nAcres for the Atmosphere Thank You\r\nAAZK Announces New Members\r\n2011 AAZK Award Recipients\r\n2011 AKF Excellence in Journalism Award Recipients\r\nA Different Approach to Raisinga Ruppell’s Griffon Vulture Chick by Using Both Hand-Rearing and Parent-Rearing Techniques\r\nTraining Tales (<em>Insulin Injection Training with Jody the Chimpanzee</em>)\r\nEnrichment Options (<em>Bloodsicle on a Bungee Feeder for Caracals</em>)\r\nConservation Station (<em>Programmatic/Financial Report on Sumatran Rhino Conservation Program</em>)\r\nBook Reviews (<em>Did Not Survive and A Runaway Train in the Making:  The Exotic Amphibians, Turtles and Corcodilians in Florida</em>)\r\nChapter News\r\nABMA Conference Announcement\r\nAKF Dedicated Six-Issue Combo Pack on Sale\r\nAAZK Grant Report: PASA Veterinary Supply Collection &amp; Redistribution Program\r\nAccess to Wildlife Information Set to Revolutionize Animal Care\r\nGrevy’s Zebra Trust: Conservation in Kenya and Ethiopia\r\nKeeper Profiles DVD Available to Order\r\nConservation/Legislative Update', 'September 2011', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2096-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:19', '2013-10-15 22:49:19', '', 2096, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2096-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3226, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:19', '2013-10-15 22:49:19', '<em>By Aimee S. Fannon, Head Giraffe Keeper,\r\nFort Wayne Children’s Zoo, Fort Wayne, IN</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>Introduction</strong>\r\nIn October 2010, after much training and hard work, Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo’s herd of 1.6 reticulated giraffe (<em>Giraffe camelopardalis</em>) entered a new facility of their own free will. This long awaited move for the zoo’s seven giraffe took careful planning and execution by the giraffe staff.  The old barn had been inadequate for some time:  spaces were crowded, shifting was a challenge, and training opportunities were extremely limited.  In the winter of 2010, we received a very generous donation that enabled us to build a new giraffe facility.  We were overjoyed, but realized that we had a lot of hard work ahead of us.  The new barn, by Fauna Research, was to be built on the opposite side of the giraffe’s outdoor exhibit space. There would be a chute area/exercise yard that leads from the exhibit to the new barn. The new facility would be four times larger than the old barn, and would be complete with a Fauna Research Giraffe Tamer®.  It would improve the care of our herd (and the sanity of our keepers!) in a multitude of ways. There was one thing we knew for sure: we wanted the herd to walk into the new barn of their own free will. Each giraffe has his or her own personality, and getting them to enter the barn would require considering each giraffe’s individual challenges and needs.  The herd consists of Jelani, the somewhat fearless bull; the natural herd leader and oldest giraffe Zuri; her calf, Zahra; and four-year-old Mystic. Also in the herd is Kali, another older female; Luna, Mystic’s half-sister; and Luna’s calf, Kesi. As anyone who works with giraffe knows, asking them to follow a keeper into a giant, shiny, new barn was like asking them to follow a keeper off of a cliff.  It would take a lot of patience and understanding, but we gave the herd the best tools we could. Utilizing these tools and the strong bond of trust between giraffe and keepers, the move was safe and successful.\r\n\r\n<strong>Challenges</strong>\r\nWe faced many overwhelming challenges in the move.  The barn was not completed until October, which left us racing against time and the impending Indiana winter to get the giraffe moved into the new building.  The entrance to the new barn was on the opposite side of the exhibit.  The herd spent most of their time at the hayracks and public feeding platform, both of which are at the front of the exhibit.  They only occasionally ventured to the back of the exhibit.  Due to the ongoing construction, there were loud noises, large equipment, and strange people surrounding the area every day. We have protected contact with our giraffe, so we could not always go where we were asking them to go.  Every night the giraffe returned to their old barn, and the whole process was started anew the next day. Then there was the largest challenge of all: Kali and Luna.  When Kali arrived at our zoo at age 15, she was overwhelmed with the changes around her.  While she was fine in the barn and exercise yard, she refused to enter the exhibit, despite strong encouragement.  She remained at the barn while watching the others go to and from exhibit every day for five years.  But she wasn’t alone.  When Luna and Mystic arrived in 2007, Luna quickly bonded with Kali.  Both have extremely cautious personalities, even for giraffe.  Keepers were unable to get Luna to follow the others to the exhibit.  She stayed at the barn for three years.  We wanted them all to cross the exhibit and enter the new barn willingly, but how could we do that when two members of herd had never even been into the exhibit?\r\nMany ideas were implemented to help get Luna and Kali to go to the exhibit.  While there would be periods of great improvement, there was never complete success.  In early June 2010, we decided to request the aid of Steve Martin and Wouter Stellaard of Natural Encounters, Inc.  They had experience with the situation, and shared with us the desire to get Luna and Kali to join the others.  Not only did we want to improve their quality of life, but we wanted the process to be as positive as possible. With the expertise of Steve and Wouter, we were able to use a mild aversive in the most positive way possible.  We created a “moveable wall” by securing tarps to long pieces of narrow, plastic pipe.  Several people were required for the process, but we tried to place the giraffe keepers at the entrance to the exhibit.  We wanted to be something positive (like the rest of the herd awaiting them in the exhibit) for them to move toward. We created two “walls”, each carried by two people (one on each end).  We worked with Kali and Luna separately.  We closed off the area completely to the public. Once the individual giraffe was in the exercise and had access to the exhibit, keepers would enter the space at the back of the yard.  The walls were rolled up and kept horizontal. We observed the giraffe’s reaction.  If the giraffe moved a step toward the exhibit, we did not move at all. If the giraffe moved toward the back of the yard, we all took a step forward.\r\n\r\nThis process was broken down into multiple levels.  Each level increased the use of walls in small increments.  For example, if the giraffe took another step toward us, we moved the walls into an upright position while keeping them rolled up.  If the giraffe moved toward the exhibit, the keepers stopped.  If the giraffe came toward the back of the yard, the keepers began to slowly unfurl the walls.  Every time the giraffe took a step toward the walls, the keepers took a step toward the giraffe.  This was so the giraffe had freedom in the situation.  We were giving them the chance to join the others on their own.  We did not force them out or frighten them.  If Kali or Luna became distressed, we stopped immediately and retreated from the yard.  Kali responded to this quickly, and walked into the exhibit within approximately 20 to 30 minutes.  Luna took a bit longer, but did enter the exhibit that same day.  Both were fairly calm, seemed comforted to be reunited with the herd, and began exploring the exhibit.  Through much training, patience, and trust, we were finally able to get both Luna and Kali on exhibit. It was a more emotional experience for the staff than it was for Luna and Kali themselves.  This process did have to be used on increasingly smaller scales as Kali and Luna eventually began to follow the herd to the exhibit without encouragement from keepers.\r\n\r\n<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2081" title="giraffe_barn1" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/giraffe_barn1.jpg" alt="giraffe_barn1" width="299" height="452" /> Kalahari or “Kali” exits the new bar (<em>Photo: Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo</em>)\r\n\r\nWhile this was a very detailed and planned process, and this brief description may not give it full justice, our main goal was to keep the experience as positive for Kali and Luna as possible.  However, on Luna’s second day on exhibit, she went into labor. On 3 June 2010, she delivered her first calf, Kesi.  She would need to spend a considerable amount of time in the barn with her calf. Luna proved to be an extremely cautious and fiercely protective mother. Now the concern rose that when it was time to join the others, Luna’s training would have been lost, as much time had passed.  If Luna did not go to the exhibit again, that meant Kesi would not go either.  Fortunately, that was not the case.  Luna and Kesi did join the others on exhibit.  There were easy days and rough days, but Luna, Kali, and Kesi soon settled into the routine. Kali discovered the feeding platform and some adoring fans.  She seemed to have a newfound confidence in herself.  Now that the entire herd was in the exhibit, we were ready for the next stage of training.\r\n\r\n<strong>One Step at a Time</strong>\r\nWe began the next phase of training several months in advance. We wanted the site for the future entrance to the new barn to be a very positive place. Initially, we started out by offering…….\r\n<strong>\r\nWant to read more about this topic?  For this and many more fascinating articles every month, see Animal Keepers’ Forum.  AKF is available only by being a member of AAZK. <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/join/">JOIN NOW!</a> </strong>', 'The Way Home: Moving a Herd of 1.6  Reticulated Giraffe into a New Facility', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2079-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:19', '2013-10-15 22:49:19', '', 2079, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2079-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3227, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:19', '2013-10-15 22:49:19', 'Information for Contributors\r\nFrom the Editor/Sponsor Acknowledgements\r\nOpening the Corral Gates!\r\nTAG - You’re It!\r\nAnimal Management Support for Wild Equid Research at the Wilds\r\nTeaching Young Giraffe Old Tricks: Changing Learned Behaviors in a Herd of Captive Giraffe\r\nRuminant Browser Nutrition Workshop (A Synopsis)\r\nPractical Considerations for Restraint of Hoofed Mammals in a Small Zoo\r\nInventing the Wheel: Hand-Rearing a Single Babirusa (<em>Babyrousa babyrussa</em>)\r\nHere There Be Dragons: Okapi Conservation in Africa’s Equatorial Forest\r\nZoo Atlanta’s Hoofstock Enrichment Program\r\nManaging Ungulates in Mixed-Species Exhibits at Disney’s Animal Kingdom\r\nUngulate TAGs Connecting with Keepers: An Update\r\nA Voice for Captive Prey Species\r\nManaging Moose in Captivity\r\nEasy Bison Enrichment in a Cash Strapped Economy\r\nThe Way Home: Moving a Herd of 1.6 Reticulated Giraffe into a New Facility\r\nCaring for African Ungulates in a Winter Climate\r\nRearing Antelope: Three Thriving Examples at the Saint Louis Zoo\r\nWalking a Mile in Their Hooves: Managing Desert Bighorn Sheep (<em>Ovis canadensis mexicana</em>) in Natural Exhibits\r\nUngulate TAG Meetings and Conferences: We Want You!\r\nCandid Camera: Using Camera Traps to Monitor Animal Behavior\r\nPorcine Perfection: Red River Hogs in Mixed-Species Exhibits\r\nThe Tapir Paper\r\nStriving for Sustainability: The Ungulate Manager’s Toolbox\r\nManaging a Reticulated Giraffe (<em>Giraffe camelopardalis</em>) with Allergies\r\nUngulates Websites of Interest\r\nTraining Przewalski’s Horses Using Protected Contact in a Facility with Limited Resources\r\nTraining the “untrainable”: Using Natural Behavior and Positive Reinforcement to Train Husbandry Behaviors in a Gerenuk (<em>Litacranius walleri</em>)\r\nGoat Lab - Evolution of a Training Class\r\nElevating Warthog Care Through Training\r\nWhat’s This Ungulate Care Workshop I’ve Been Hearing So Much About?\r\nFreezing Browse for Year-round Feeding of Giraffe and Other Hoofstock\r\nRhinoceros Enrichment\r\nManaging a Research Population of an Extremely Flighty Ungulate Species at SCBI\r\nHoof Management of Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge\r\nMoving Onward and Upward: Building a Contemporary Giraffe Facility\r\nCreating New Tools to Reduce Fearful Behavior with Three Ungulate Species at the Oakland Zoo\r\nTactiles - The Transition from a Behavior to a Reinforcer: A Case Study of 1.0 Grant’sZebra (<em>Equus burchellii</em>) at the Oakland Zoo\r\nBongo Calf Splaying and Coxofemoral Luxation\r\nBenefits of Goal-Based Behavioral Husbandry for Captive Bovid and Cervid Species\r\nUngulate Care Workshops (information and contacts)', 'July/August 2011', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2075-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:19', '2013-10-15 22:49:19', '', 2075, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2075-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3228, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:19', '2013-10-15 22:49:19', 'Information for Contributors\nFrom the Editor/Sponsor Acknowledgements\nOpening the Corral Gates!\nTAG - You’re It!\nAnimal Management Support for Wild Equid Research at the Wilds\nTeaching Young Giraffe Old Tricks: Changing Learned Behaviors in a Herd of Captive Giraffe\nRuminant Browser Nutrition Workshop (A Synopsis)\nPractical Considerations for Restraint of Hoofed Mammals in a Small Zoo\nInventing the Wheel: Hand-Rearing a Single Babirusa (<em>Babyrousa babyrussa</em>)\nHere There Be Dragons: Okapi Conservation in Africa’s Equatorial Forest\nZoo Atlanta’s Hoofstock Enrichment Program\nManaging Ungulates in Mixed-Species Exhibits at Disney’s Animal Kingdom\nUngulate TAGs Connecting with Keepers: An Update\nA Voice for Captive Prey Species\nManaging Moose in Captivity\nEasy Bison Enrichment in a Cash Strapped Economy\nThe Way Home: Moving a Herd of 1.6 Reticulated Giraffe\ninto a New Facility\nCaring for African Ungulates in a Winter Climate\nRearing Antelope: Three Thriving Examples at the Saint Louis Zoo\nWalking a Mile in Their Hooves:\nManaging Desert Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana)\nin Natural Exhibits\nUngulate TAG Meetings and Conferences: We Want You!\nCandid Camera: Using Camera Traps to Monitor Animal Behavior\nPorcine Perfection: Red River Hogs in Mixed-Species Exhibits\nThe Tapir Paper\nStriving for Sustainability: The Ungulate Manager’s Toolbox\nManaging a Reticulated Giraffe (Giraffe camelopardalis) with Allergies\nUngulates Websites of Interest\nTraining Przewalski’s Horses Using Protected Contact in a Facility with Limited Resources\nTraining the “untrainable”: Using Natural Behavior and Positive     Reinforcement to Train Husbandry Behaviors in a Gerenuk     (Litacranius walleri)\nGoat Lab - Evolution of a Training Class\nElevating Warthog Care Through Training\nWhat’s This Ungulate Care Workshop I’ve Been Hearing So Much About?\nFreezing Browse for Year-round Feeding of Giraffe and Other Hoofstock\nRhinoceros Enrichment\nManaging a Research Population of an Extremely Flighty\nUngulate Species at SCBI\nHoof Management of Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra at\nDisney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge\nMoving Onward and Upward: Building a Contemporary Giraffe Facility\nCreating New Tools to Reduce Fearful Behavior with\nThree Ungulate Species at the Oakland Zoo\nTactiles - The Transition from a Behavior to a Reinforcer:\nA Case Study of 1.0 Grant’sZebra (Equus burchellii)\nat the Oakland Zoo\nBongo Calf Splaying and Coxofemoral Luxation\nBenefits of Goal-Based Behavioral Husbandry for Captive Bovid\nand Cervid Species\nUngulate Care Workshops (information and contacts)', 'July/August 2011', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2074-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:19', '2013-10-15 22:49:19', '', 2074, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2074-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3229, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:19', '2013-10-15 22:49:19', '<em><strong>Dedicated double issue of AKF on Ungulate Husbandry, Training, Enrichment and Conservation.  This special edition will encompass the regular July and August issues of AKF and AAZK anticipates mailing it to the membership by the second week of August.  For an idea of what will be in this special issue, check out the listing of papers that will be included below.</strong></em>\r\n\r\n1.    Animal Management Support of Wild Equid Research at The Wilds\r\nBy Arin Moore, Animal Management Specialist, The Wilds, Cumberland, OH\r\n\r\n2.    Practical Considerations for Restraint of Hoofed Mammals in a Small Zoo\r\nBy Hoofed Mammal Team, Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park, Syracuse, NY\r\n\r\n3.    Inventing the Wheels: Hand-Rearing a Single Babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa)\r\nBy Nicole Piepers, Nursery Keeper, Los Angeles Zoo, Los Angeles, CA\r\n\r\n4.    Zoo Atlanta’s Hoofstock Enrichment Program\r\nBy Nicole Bouwens, Senior Keeper, Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta, GA\r\n\r\n5.    Managing Ungulates in Mixed Species Exhibits at Disney’s Animal Kingdom\r\nBy Steve Metzler, Assistant Animal Operations Manager (Assistant Curator),\r\nDisney’s Animal Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista, FL\r\n\r\n6.    The Way Home: Moving a Herd of 1.6 Reticulated Giraffe into a New Facility\r\nBy Aimee S. Fannon, Head Giraffe Keeper, Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, Fort Wayne, IN\r\n\r\n7.    Managing a Reticulated Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) with Allergies\r\nBy Melaina Wallace, Keeper II and Kristin Wolfe, Zoological Manager\r\nDisney’s Animal Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista, FL\r\n\r\n8.    Porcine Perfection: Red River Hogs in Mixed Species Exhibits\r\nBy Lindsey Kirkman, Animal Keeper III, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista, FL\r\n\r\n9.    Easy Bison Enrichment in a Cash-Strapped Economy\r\nBy Phil Coleman, Lead Keeper, Elmwood Park Zoo, Norristown, PA\r\n\r\n10.    Goat Lab – Evolution of a Training Class\r\nBy Elizabeth Abram, Keeper II, Oakland Zoo, Oakland, CA\r\n\r\n11.    Moving Onward and Upward: Building a Contemporary Giraffe Facility\r\nBy Amber Eagleson, Area Manager – African Journey, Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, Ft. Wayne, IN\r\n\r\n12.    Creating New Tools to Reduce Fearful Behavior with Three Ungulate Species at the Oakland Zoo\r\nBy  Amy Phelps, Primary Giraffe Keeper/Keeper II, and Lisa Clifton-Bumpass, Oakland Zoo, Oakland, CA\r\n\r\n13.    Walking a Mile in Their Hooves: Managing Desert Bighorn Sheep (Ovis Canadensis Mexicana) in Natural Exhibits\r\nBy Devorah Young, Senior Keeper, Hoofstock Trail, Phoenix Zoo, Phoenix, AZ\r\n\r\n14.    Caring for African Ungulates in a Winter Climate\r\nBy Maureen Miller, Large Mammal Keeper, The Toledo Zoo, Toledo, OH\r\n\r\n15.    Candid Camera: Using Camera Traps to Monitor Animal Behavior\r\nBy Becky Richendollar, Watani Grasslands Keeper, North Carolina Zoo, Asheboro, NC\r\n\r\n16.    Ungulate TAG Meetings and Conferences: We Want You!\r\nBy Matthew Ardaiolo, Lead Hoofstock Keeper, Potawatomi Zoo, South Bend, IN\r\n\r\n17.    Managing Moose in Captivity\r\nBy Roxanna Breitigan, Animal Care Manager, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Colorado Springs, CO\r\n\r\n18.    Training Przewalski’s Horses in a Facility with Limited Resources, Using Protected Contact\r\nBy Amanda Faliano, Denver Zoo, Denver, CO\r\n\r\n19.    Elevating Warthog Care Through Training\r\nBy Morgan Lashley, Animal Care Specialist and Christy Layton, Associate Animal Care Specialist, Busch Gardens, Tampa, FL\r\n\r\n20.    Tactiles – The Transition from a Behavior to a Reinforcer: A Case Study of 1.0 Grant’s Zebra (Equus burchelli) at the Oakland Zoo\r\nBy Julie Hartell-DeNardo, former Zoological Manager and Leesa Whittlef, Keeper I, Oakland Zoo, Oakland, CA\r\n\r\n21.    Hoof Management of Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge\r\nBy Vickie Shaw, Animal Keeper, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge®, Lake Buena Vista, FL\r\n\r\n22.    Ungulate TAGs Connecting Keepers: An Update\r\nBy Christy Poelker, Senior Keeper/Ungulates, Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis, MO\r\n\r\n23.    The Tapir Paper\r\nBy Kim Jansen, Hoofstock Keeper, Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, Nashville, TN\r\n\r\n24.    Ruminant Browser Nutrition Workshop – Synopsis\r\nBy Debra A. Schmidt, PhD, Nutritionist Saint Louis Zoo; Erin L. Kendrick, MS, Associate Nutritionist Saint Louis Zoo; Elizabeth A. Koutsos, PhD, Research Nutritionist, Mazuri, PMI International;  and Michael L. Schlegel, PhD, Nutritionist, San Diego Zoo Global\r\n\r\n25.    Here There Be Dragons: Okapi Conservation in Africa’s Equatorial Forest\r\nSteve Shurter, Director of Conservation, White Oak Conservation Center\r\n\r\n26.    Training the “untrainable”: Using Natural Behavior and Positive Reinforcement to Train Husbandry Behaviors in a Gerenuk (Litacranius walleri)\r\nChristina Seely, Large Mammal Keeper, Denver Zoo, Denver, CO\r\n\r\n27.    Managing a Research Population of an Extremely Flighty Ungulate Species at Smithsonian’s Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI)\r\nBy Dolores Reed, Mammal Keeper-Hoofstock, Center for Species Survival, SCBI, Front Royal, VA\r\n\r\n28.    What’s This Ungulate Care Workshop I’ve Been Hearing So Much About?\r\nBy Adam Eyres, Hoofstock Supervisor, Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, White Rhino SSP® Coordinator\r\n\r\n29.    Rearing Antelope: Three Thriving Examples at the Saint Louis Zoo\r\nBy Christy Poelker, Senior Keeper/Ungulates, Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis, MO\r\n\r\n30.    Freezing Browse for Year-round Feeding of Giraffe and Other Hoofstock\r\nPearl Z. Yusuf, Curator, Hooves and Horns, Zoo New England, Boston, MA\r\n\r\n31.    “A Voice for Captive Prey Species”\r\nBy Allyson O’Neill, Mammal Keeper – Hoofstock/Cheetahs, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal VA\r\n\r\n32.    Teaching Your Young Giraffe Old Tricks: Changing Learned Behaviors in a Herd of Captive Giraffe\r\nAshleigh Kandrac, Assistant Curator, Lion County Safari, Loxahatchee, FL\r\n\r\n33.    Rhinoceros Enrichment\r\nBy Wendy Shaffstall, Sr. Ungulate Keeper, Cincinnati Zoo, Cincinnati, OH and Adam Felts, Head Keeper Asian Domain, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Powell, OH\r\n\r\n34.    Striving for Sustainability: the Ungulate Manager’s Toolbox\r\nBy Bill Houston, Assistant Curator, St. Louis Zoo; David Powell, Assistant Curator of Mammals, Bronx Zoo; and Brent Huffman, Keeper III, Toronto Zoo\r\n\r\n35.    Bongo Calf Splaying and Coxofemoral Luxation\r\nBy Lydia F. Bosley, Bongo International Studbook Keeper and Dr. Tom de Maar, Bongo SP Vet Advisor\r\n\r\n36.    Benefits of Goal-Based Behavioral Husbandry for Captive Bovid and Cervid Species\r\nBy Angela Cecil Binney, DAK and Julie Hartell-DeNardo, St. Louis Zoo\r\n\r\n37.    Welcome to the Ungulate Tag Herd!\r\nBy Martha Fischer, AZA Antelope and Giraffe TAG Chair\r\n\r\n38.    TAG – You’re It!\r\nBy Martha Fischer, AZA Antelope and Giraffe TAG Chair', 'Coming Soon', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2049-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:19', '2013-10-15 22:49:19', '', 2049, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2049-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3230, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:20', '2013-10-15 22:49:20', '', 'June 2011', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2017-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:20', '2013-10-15 22:49:20', '', 2017, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/2017-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3231, 1, '2013-10-15 17:49:20', '2013-10-15 22:49:20', '<p style="text-align: center;"><em><img class="size-medium wp-image-695 aligncenter" title="hdr_conservation_station" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/hdr_conservation_station-300x114.gif" alt="hdr_conservation_station" width="300" height="114" /></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p style="text-align: left;"><em>By Amy Hanna\r\nWildlife Conservationist and Environmental Educator\r\nKampala, Uganda</em>\r\n\r\nEven while I was a zoo keeper for eight years, I wanted to experience Africa to see what wildlife conservation organizations were doing in the field.  While working at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago Illinois, I was always interested in the Conservation and Science Department’s many programs.  Instead of waiting for a conservation job to come along, I saved up money and planned my first Africa trip in 2006 to South Africa and Zambia.  Then I volunteered again in Zambia in 2009 and 2010 for Munda Wanga Environmental Park.\r\n\r\nRecently, I decided to take the jump and move to Uganda semi-permanently.  I spent the last two months in Uganda and Rwanda networking.  This experience showed me that zoos and their staff supporting field projects are making a difference.  I’d like to share a few personal examples:\r\n\r\n<strong>The Kasiisi Project\r\nKibale National Park, Uganda</strong>\r\n\r\nThe Kasiisi Project was established in 1997 with the aim of supporting the local communities that live on the Western edge of Kibale National Park, and creating awareness of the importance of the forest and its species, especially the local  keynote species, the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes).   There are five core schools in the target communities that are heavily supported by the project through programs that include environmental education, life skills, girl’s support, nutrition, secondary and tertiary scholarships, staff training and support and construction of infrastructure, all of which improve the learning environment in these schools.\r\n\r\nIn addition to the core schools, nine more in the area are included in The Kasiisi Project Conservation Education Program which supports initiatives aimed at producing a generation of local committed conservationists.  It is here that I saw the amazing impact that zoos can have on these kids’ lives.\r\n\r\nFor two years, Disney World Conservation Fund has paid for teachers who have never seen elephants or hippos to take field trips to three local National Parks: Queen Elizabeth National Park for savannah animals, Kibale National Park for tracking chimpanzees and Semuliki National Park for central African birds and the amazing shoebill stork (Balaeniceps rex).  Although these teachers live and work next to the park, most had never visited them.  Their experience is shared with about 6000 students and evaluation data showed that both teachers and their pupils showed increased knowledge and appreciation of their environment as a result of the trips.\r\nBrevard Zoo has donated soccer and netball uniforms, with chimpanzee logos designed by Columbus Zoo.  Stuffed animal chimpanzees, and arts and crafts supplies for use by school Wildlife Clubs have also been a Brevard Zoo gift.\r\n\r\nCleveland Zoo is funding a water quality project where children from five Kasiisi Project schools will test water from a variety of sources both inside and outside the forest to study the impact of vegetation loss.\r\n\r\nNorth Carolina Zoo is also involved in Kibale National Park.  It has supported the research of Dr. Jeremiah Lwanga who studies chimpanzees and rainforest flora. Support for Dr. Lwanga comes from the donation box at the North Carolina Zoo chimpanzee exhibit. NCZ also promotes conservation education through their UNITE program in forest edge schools to the south of the park.\r\n\r\nI was invited to see the impact of zoo involvement in The Kasiisi Project’s environmental programs when I met the project director last year at a conference and mentioned I would be moving to Uganda.  Kibale National Park is a five- hour bus ride to the West of Kampala, the capital of Uganda where I live, and is certainly worth visiting and conserving.\r\n<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1981" title="ugandan_students" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/ugandan_students.jpg" alt="ugandan_students" width="637" height="371" />\r\n\r\nStudents pose for a group photo with their teachers and UWEC staff. (<em>Photo by David Musingo, Education Director at UWEC</em>)\r\n\r\nI stayed for three nights in a research house with two other project managers who took me on walks in the forest. We ran into rare forest elephants (<em>Loxodonta cyclotis</em>), dung beetles (<em>Scarabaeoidea sp.</em>), red colobus monkeys (<em>Procolobus foai</em>), and L’hoest’s monkeys (<em>Cercopithecus lhoesti</em>).  There are 13 primate species in KNP, including 1400 chimpanzees, the highest primate biomass in East Africa.  By the end of the trip, I was invited to volunteer as an educator to help strengthen the Wildlife Clubs in 14 forest-edge schools.  I am very excited and grateful for this opportunity.\r\n\r\n<strong>Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary\r\nUganda</strong>\r\n\r\nThe Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary was established in 1997 as a safe breeding ground for white rhinos (Ceratotherium simum) and as an education opportunity to raise awareness and funds for the endangered species.  Every day, tourists are allowed to hike with the guides on foot to see the rhinos in the bush.  Along the way, the guides educate the tourists on…..\r\n\r\n<strong>Want to read the rest of this column? Become a member of AAZK and get 12 issues of Animal Keepers’ Forum each year featuring this column as well as lots of animal husbandry, enrichment and training information. <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/join/">JOIN NOW!</a></strong>', 'A First Hand Account of How Zoos are Making a Difference in East Africa', 0, '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '1980-revision-v1', '', '', '2013-10-15 17:49:20', '2013-10-15 22:49:20', '', 1980, 'http://web3.gowebsolutions.com/~aazook/uncategorized/1980-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0) ; 
