February 8-13, 2010
Oglebay Resort
Wheeling, WV
The Principles of Elephant Management professional training course trains students to be competent elephant managers. Course content focuses on the foundation necessary for developing comprehensive and proactive elephant management programs. Students will take away skills for creating self-sustaining elephant management programs.
Course Tuition
$850 for AZA Individual Members
$950 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. For general information on travel and lodging, please see the Professional Training in Wheeling page.
Curious about the costs associated with this course?
The Principles of Elephant 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 Principles of Elephant Management course.
Additional Scholarship opportunities are provided by
Target Audience
Elephant managers, zoo curators who oversee elephant programs and elephant handlers. Course includes day classes and evening project work until 10 p.m.
Course Topics
- SSP/TAG Updates
- Standards and Protocols
- Training theory and terminology
- Conflict Resolution
- System Definitions
- Behavioral Components
- Public/Media Relations
- Animal Welfare Issues
- Enrichment
- Tools/Equipment/Facility Design
- Problem Solving
- Medical Management
- Elephant foot care
- Elephant Reproduction/Birth Management/Calf introductions
- Successful Elephant Program Components
Course Schedule
Download the course schedule (subject to change)
Course Instructors
Cindy Anderson
Manager Operations Learning & Development
Walt Disney World Co.
Jeff Bolling
Assistant Curator of Elephants
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Daryl Hoffman
Curator – Large Mammals/Elephants
Houston Zoo, Inc.
Sharon Joseph
Vice-President – Animal Programs
Houston Zoo, Inc
Jill Mellen, PhD
Education and Science Director
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Michele Miller, DVM, PhD
Veterinary Operations Manager
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Bruce Upchurch
Curator – Behavioral Management/Elephants
Woodland Park Zoo
Patty Peters
Director of Marketing and Development
Fresno Chaffee Zoo
Steve Feldman
Senior Vice President, Communications
Association of Zoos & Aquariums
Tony Vecchio
Director
Jacksonville Zoo
For additional details please contact the AZA Professional Training Department or call (301) 562-0777.