Principles of Elephant Management

February 2-7, 2009 in Wheeling, WV
$700 for AZA Individual Members and $800 for Non-members
[join AZA]

Registration

Until Friday, October 3, 2008 preference for admission will be given to applicants who are AZA individual members and Elephant Managers at AZA institutions. After October 3rd applications will be processed in the order received.

Download the Registration Form (in PDF). 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.

Please Note:

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, please email us at .

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 Cost and Logistics page (in PDF) will help you estimate the total cost of attending, including registration, hotel, and ground transportation.

Interested in a Scholarship to attend this course?

The following scholarship opportunities are currently available to aquarium and zoo professionals for the Principles of Elephant Management course.

Robert O. Wagner Professional Development Award
merit based award
Board of Regents Diversity Advancement Award
for under represented individuals
Zoo Conservation Outreach Group Conservation Training Award

for colleagues from countries in Latin America and the
Caribbean Basin

International Conservation Training Award
for all foreign zoological colleagues

Additional Scholarship opportunities are provided by

Course Credit

Not available at this time.

Objective

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.

Target Audience

Elephant managers, zoo curators who oversee elephant programs and elephant handlers. Class size limited to 26. 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 (subject to change)

Download the course schedule (in PDF).

Course Instructors (subject to change)

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
Oregon Zoo

What your colleagues have been saying

“This was an invaluable experience! Thank you for sharing your time and knowledge. I would like a PEM2.”

“There were so many things I learned from the instructors and my classmates; I will take these things and use them at my Zoo. I would encourage all of my co-workers to attend.”

Questions?