Toadally unfrogrettable!
Next offered:
Spring 2013
(Offered in the spring each year)
Course Description
Amphibian Biology, Conservation and Management builds capacity in amphibian husbandry, amphibian welfare, amphibian medicine, and in-situ and ex-situ amphibian conservation. Students acquire significant knowledge and skills in basic amphibian biology, captive care requisites, medical issues, breeding protocols, management of ex situ populations, in situ conservation strategies, and more.
Tuition & Expenses
Early Bird Rates:
$950 for AZA Individual Members
$1,050 for Non-members
Regular Rates:
$1050 for AZA Individual Members
$1150 for Non-members
The AZA registration fee above covers only tuition for the course. Other expenses include hotel, travel, and meals.
Scholarship funding is available through a competitive process.
Target Audience
This course is designed for zookeepers, education staff who handle amphibians, and representatives of nature centers and natural history museums or science centers that exhibit amphibians.
Prerequisites
None. Priority will be given to AZA members, but volunteers and private herpetologists are welcome to attend. International applicants and those not affiliated with an AZA accredited institution will be considered on a case-by-case basis; please submit a letter describing your intended benefit from taking this course.
Course Registration
Checks sent for course payment will be cashed immediately upon receipt as per standard business practices. Cashing your check does not indicate that you have been accepted into a course. You will receive an acceptance email or waitlist email once acceptance decisions are made.
Travel & Accommodations
Toledo Express Airport (TOL) is the closest airport, but can be more expensive. Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) is an economical alternative, about an hour drive from Toledo.
Course participants stay at the Country Inn & Suites in Maumee, Ohio and are transported to the Toledo Zoo in vans for class each day.
Please wait until you are admitted into the course before making your reservations. You will reserve an email containing detailed information regarding your accommodations and transportation once you are admitted.
Course Topics & Instructors
- Amphibian Overview
- Evolution
- Classification and Diversity
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Husbandry
- Utilizing Science in Husbandry
- Water Quality
- Enclosure Workshop
- Life Cycle
- Reproduction
- Records and ID Systems
- Nutrition
- Medical Overview
- Transport
- Conservation Education
This course is team-taught by some of the country's amphibian experts:
R. Andrew Odum, Curator of Herpetology - Toledo Zoo
Ron Gagliardo, Training Officer - Amphibian Ark
Joe Mendelson III, Ph.D., Curator of Herpetology - Atlanta Zoo
Jennifer Pramuk, Ph.D., Curator of Herpetology - Woodland Park Zoo
Dr. Allan Pessier, Associate Pathologist - San Diego Zoo Global
Tim Herman, Herpetology Keeper - Toledo Zoo
Kent Bekker, Herpetology Keeper - Toledo Zoo
John Chastain, Herpetology Keeper - Toledo Zoo
Edythe Sonntag, PhD Candidate - Michigan State University
Vicky Poole, Exhibit Manager - National Aquarium in Baltimore
Beth Posta, Curator of Behavioral Husbandry and Research - Toledo Zoo
Course Schedule
Saturday, April 28
2:00 PM – Hotel room check-in begins
4:00-5:00 PM - Class registration in hotel lobby
5:30 PM - Shuttle to Toledo Zoo
6:00-9:00 PM – Icebreaker and opening session
Sunday, April 29 through Thursday, May 3
Classes meet all day
Friday, May 4
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM – Herping field trip
Questions?
For additional details please contact the AZA Professional Development Department or call (301) 562-0777.