St. Augustine Alligator Farm
Zoological Park
St. Augustine, FL
The Crocodilian Biology and Captive Management professional training course is a seven-day training program that concentrates on the captive maintenance techniques, husbandry, breeding, and special requirements for the care of crocodiles, caiman, gharials, and alligators in zoos and aquariums.
Course Tuition
$950 for AZA Individual Members
$1,050 for Non-members
Course Registration
Download the Registration Form. Please note that you can use Adobe Acrobat Reader to type your responses directly into this form, print, and return by mail or fax. You may also print the form, write in your information and return by mail or fax. Each course has a registration form specific for that course.
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 letter or wait list letter once acceptance decisions are made.
If you have any questions about your acceptance status, or for additional details please contact the AZA Professional Training Department or call (301) 562-0777.
Travel and Accommodations
Please wait until you are admitted into the course before making your reservations. You will receive a confirmation letter containing detailed information regarding your accommodations and transportation once you are admitted.
Curious about the costs associated with this course?
The Crocodilian Biology and Captive Management Cost and Logistics page will help you estimate the total cost of attending, including registration, hotel, and ground transportation.
Course Scholarships
The following scholarship opportunities are currently available to aquarium and zoo professionals for the Crocodilian Biology and captive Management course.
An additional scholarship opportunity is provided by the The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park, for The John Behler Scholarship.
Target Audience
This course is open to professional biologists who either work full time with crocodilians or who may work with them in the near future. Priority will be given to individual members working at AZA accredited institutions. International applicants and those not affiliated with an AZA accredited institution will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Students must be at least 21 years of age.
If applicant does not work at an accredited AZA institution please attach a separate letter describing your intended benefit from taking this course.
Course Topics
The school is a balanced program of classroom lecture, demonstrations, and hands-on wet labs. Relevant topics on basic crocodilian biology including taxonomy, reproductive biology, behavior, anatomy, physiology, and conservation will be included as the foundation for captive management practices. Management subjects will include enclosure design, social groups, introductions, breeding, nesting, egg incubation, training, sexing, capture techniques, chemical immobilization, diet, medical care, and population management.
Course Schedule
Download the course schedule (subject to change) .
Course Instructors
Kent A. Vliet, Ph.D.
University of Florida
John Brueggen
St. Augustine Alligator Farm
John Groves
North Carolina Zoo
Greg Lepera
Jacksonville Zoo
Scott Pfaff
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
Peter Brazaitis
Wildlife Conservation Society (retired)
Darryl Heard, DVM
University of Florida
Matthew H. Shirley
Department of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation
University of Florida
Kevin Torregrosa
St. Augustine Alligator Farm
Marty MacPhee
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Bruce Schwedick
Crocodile Conservation Services
Michelle Skurski
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Bill Zeigler
Zeigler and Zeigler
For additional details please contact the AZA Professional Training Department or call (301) 562-0777.