Animal Programs Update - February

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© Jamie Pham 

Wanted: New Holders for the Chinese Goral (Naemorhedus griseus)

The Chinese goral is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to a significant decline over its range due to over-hunting. The Chinese goral is the only goral species represented in North America and has been kept in AZA institutions since 1984. The AZA Caprinae TAG has designated the species as a high priority for management within North America. The current population is 36 (19.17) animals in 10 institutions.

Please contact the Program Coordinator, Gil Myers, if you are interested in working with this rare species.

Tiger SSP Launches Tiger Conservation Campaign

The Amur, Malayan, and Sumatran tigers in AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums represent subspecies with fewer than 500 individuals remaining in the wild. In November 2010, tiger range countries set a goal of doubling the number of wild tigers by 2022, the next Year of the Tiger. To help support this bold goal, the AZA Tiger Species Survival Plan© (SSP) has launched a Tiger Conservation Campaign to raise awareness about wild tigers and support for their conservation. Campaign materials and a guide for educators can be found on the Tiger SSP’s website.

Grant Opportunity

AZA's Conservation Endowment Fund (CEF) is now accepting proposals for the 2012 grant cycle. CEF supports the conservation initiatives of AZA members and their collaborators. Proposals are due March 15, 2012 and all application materials can be found at: http://www.aza.org/cef-information-for-applicants/. CEF awards are announced in early September and awarded funds will become available October 1, 2012.

AZA invites and encourages submission from all AZA members. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Shelly Grow

Can’t travel? Hop Online!

AZA is pleased to continue a new webinar series offered through our online education partner, NP Training Works, in conjunction with San Diego Zoo Global.
Re-energize in February with one or more of these informational sessions, and share this unique opportunity with your colleagues!

Some of the great topics include:
•Roaring Rewards: Creating a Great Employee Recognition Program
•Becoming a World Famous Mentor
•The American's with Disabilities Act - ADA: What is it? Why do we need it? And How does it apply to my Zoo?
•The Value of Biodiversity and its Link to Human Welfare
•Biomimicry/Bioinspiration: A Novel Activity to Further Conservation Involving Engineers, Business, and San Diego Zoo Global

For more topics, details, and to register, go to http://nptrainingworks.com/webinars

Enrich your Career: Reach New Heights!

Register now for Spring Sessions:

Crocodilian Biology & Captive Management | lots of croc talk
Advances in Animal Keeping | this one’s a keeper
Amphibian Biology, Conservation & Management | toadally unfrogettable

Crocodilian Biology and Captive Management Course

March 2-9, at St. Augustine Alligator Farm in St. Augustine, FL

Crocodilian Biology and Captive Management concentrates on the captive maintenance techniques, husbandry, breeding, and special requirements for the care of crocodiles, caiman, gharials, and alligators in zoos and aquariums. Relevant topics on basic crocodilian biology such as taxonomy, reproductive biology, behavior, anatomy, physiology, and conservation are included as the foundation for captive management practices. Join us at the only facility that houses all existing species of crocodilians and learn from the experts! Registration deadline is February 17, 2012.

To learn more or register, visit http://www.aza.org/professional-training/

Website Launched - PMCTrack

PMCTrack.org evaluates breeding and transfer recommendations made by AZA’s Species Survival Plans® (SSPs) to:
-Determine whether each Breed With, Do Not Breed, Send To, or Hold recommendation occurred based on studbook data
-Collect reasons from Institutional Representatives for recommendations not occurring as planned
-Improve management of AZA’s Animal Programs and increase long-term viability of these populations
AZA Program Leaders, Institutional Liaisons, Institutional Representatives, and others can:
-View outcomes of historical breeding & transfer recommendations from the past decade
-Use survey tools to simplify communication between Program Leaders and Institutional Representatives
-Monitor Population Management Center planning status for their programs
For more information, please visit PMCTrack or contact us at pmctrack@lpzoo.org.

AZA Blog!

Check out AZA's blog!  The blog features "Member profiles," where you can learn about the good work being done by professionals at AZA-affiliated zoos and aquariums as well as topical posts about animals, environmental issues, and other interesting subjects!

Are you working on a project that you think would make a good post? Does someone on your staff deserve to be profiled? If so, "put pen to paper" and contact Tim Lewthwaite for more details.

You may sign up for email updates by clicking on the gray box that says “Follow” in the bottom right-hand corner. Come and Explore with us!

New Program Leaders

SSP Coordinator

PIGEON, VICTORIA CROWNED
Wendy Wadsworth, North Carolina Zoological Park 

SSP Coordinator and Studbook Keeper

FLAMINGO, CARIBBEAN
Kate Lyngle-Cowand, Riverbanks Zoo & Garden

SPOONBILL, ROSEATE
Leigh Smith, Texas State Aquarium

Studbook Keeper

BEAR, SUN
Susan Lyndaker Lindsey, Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden

STARLING, SUPERB
Tim Snyder, Brookfield Zoo

TORTOISE, PLOUGHSHARE
Paul Gibbons, Behler Chelonian Center

New Program Leader Vacancies

Find applications and instructions regarding vacancies in the Animal Program Handbooks.  Applications are due March 1, 2012, unless otherwise noted. For a full list of available Program Leader positions, visit the Current Program Leader Vacancies page.

SSP Coordinator

TOUCAN (CHESTNUT-MANDIBLED, KEEL-BILLED, & TOCO)
Please send application materials to Michael Macek, Piciformes TAG Chair.
***Please note that this vacancy is for one SSP Coordinator for all three Toucan SSP Programs.

SSP Coordinator and Studbook Keeper

BONTEBOK
Please send application materials to Martha Fischer, Antelope & Giraffe TAG Chair.

MONKEY, SOUTHERN BLACK HOWLER
Please send application materials to Keith Lovett, New World Primate TAG Chair.

Studbook Keeper (Red Programs)

TURTLE, MEXICAN BOX
Please send application materials Dwight Lawson, Chelonian TAG Chair.

TURTLE, SPOTTED
Please send application materials Dwight Lawson, Chelonian TAG Chair.

TURTLE, TEMPLE
Please send application materials Dwight Lawson, Chelonian TAG Chair.

New Publications

Please note that all documents are available for download on the Program's page found by logging in and searching the Animal Program Database.

Want to contribute to the Update?

All announcements for the monthly Animal Programs Update should be submitted to the AZA Conservation Department by the 25th of the prior month.