Principles of Elephant Management

This course is full. Wait list applications are being accepted.

February 4-9, 2008 in Wheeling, WV
$650 for AZA Individual Members and $750 for Non-members [join AZA]

Types of credit available

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Graduate

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 waitlist letter once acceptance decisions are made. If you have any questions about your acceptance status, please email us at .

Registration

Until October 12, 2007, preference for admission will be given to applicants who are AZA individual members. After October 12, 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.

Travel and Accommodations

For information on travel and lodging, please see the Professional Training in Wheeling page.

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 30. Course includes day classes and evening project work until 10 p.m.

Course Instructors

Cindy Anderson
Manager, Food and Beverage Education
Walt Disney World Co.

Jeff Bolling
Zoological Manager
Disney's Animal Kingdom

Martha Benroya Wells
Development Officer
Aquatic Conservation Wildlife Trust

Daryl Hoffman
Lead Keeper, Elephant / Rhino
Buffalo Zoo

Sharon Joseph
Curator / Mammals
Disney's Animal Kingdom

Jill Mellen, PhD
Education and Science Director
Disney's Animal Kingdom

Michele Miller, DVM, PhD
Veterinary Services Operations Manager Disney's Animal Kingdom

Bruce Upchurch
Curator of Mammals
Woodland Park Zoo

Course Topics

Training Theory and Terminology

The basics of training theory for operant conditioning will be presented. A team teaching approach will be utilized with specific examples of applications of training theory and definitions in free, protected and confined contact elephant management.

Free Contact (FC) Elephant Management

Topics to be discussed include the following: definition and safety elements; description of situations where it is needed; objectives for keeper safety, husbandry and veterinary care, public education, research, addressing social issues, psychological well being; benefits for the institution; benefits for the animals; requirements in tool, facilities, staff skills, and experience, elephant protocols and profiles; methods utilized; addressing specific issues; converting to a protected contact system; behavioral list.

Protected Contact (PC) Elephant Management

The following topics will be discussed: definition of safety elements; description of situations where it is needed; objectives for keeper safety, husbandry and veterinary care, public education, research, addressing social issues, psychological well being; benefits for the institution; benefits for the animals; requirements in tool, facilities, staff skills, and experience, elephant protocols and profiles; methods utilized; addressing specific issues; converting to a protected contact system; behavioral list.

Role of Elephant Manager

The ideal role of the elephant manager will be discussed with emphasis on the following issues: Federal requirements (USDA, USFWS) and AZA accreditation requirements and guidelines for elephants; staff safety; animal health and welfare; staff selection, supervision and evaluation; public presentations; communication within and outside the institution; establishing protocols.

Elephant Management Protocols and Animal Profiles

The need for an suggested structure of institutional Elephant Management Protocols and Animal Profiles will be discussed. Examples of effective protocols and profiles will be provided.

Problem Solving

A step by step problem analysis and problem solving will be outlined. The participants will be divided into groups for a homework session focused on solving a particular problem in elephant management or behavior. The problems will be drawn from the pre-course questionnaires of the participants. Presentations to the group as a whole will be made the following morning.

Training Protocols

For another evening assignment the participants will be divided into groups and given assignments to prepare step by step protocols for training a specific behavior in both free and protected contact. The protocols will be presented to the whole class the following morning.

Enrichment

Appropriate physical and psychological enrichment for elephants will be discussed in open forum.

Team Building and Conflict Resolution

Some basic strategies for team building and conflict resolution in the workplace will be presented and discussed.

Public Relations and Role Playing

Various possible scenarios of public relations problems around elephant issues will be discussed and acted out by participants and instructors to provide examples of viable solutions to difficult situations.

The Training Game

All participants will participate in this training skill building exercise as both trainer and trainee.

Training Terminology Exam

There will be a test on the terminology of training theory to help participants and instructors assess the effectiveness of the course.

Population Management

A brief overview of zoo population management principles that drive SSP master planning and breeding recommendations.

The Elephant SSP Master Plan

Presentation of the current Elephant SSP Master Plan and the requirements for participating institutions.

Sample Course Schedule
(this will change for 2008)

Download the course schedule (in PDF).