Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Institutional Records Keeping

Please Note: This class will not be offered in 2008.

Types of credit available

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Graduate

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

February: Until October 14, 2006, preference for admission will be given to applicants who are AZA individual members. After October 14, applications will be processed in the order received.

November: Until July 13, 2007, preference for admission will be given to applicants who are AZA individual members. After July 13, 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

Explores theory and mechanics of animal records-keeping at zoos and aquariums and the important role accurate records play in successful captive management. Promotes standardization of animal records management, improvement of the integrity of institutional records, and facilitates exchange of data among records keepers and member institutions.

Students will take away a working knowledge of the Animal Records-Keeping System 4 (ARKS4), use of the ISIS Web site and Specimen Reference DVD, and develop an understanding of how AZA, ISIS, SSPs®, TAGs, PMPs, WCMC, studbooks and animal records combine forces to manage captive populations

Target Audience

Record keepers, registrars, ARKS users, curators, collection managers, records specialists, records managers, and information specialists. Class size limited to 28.

Course Instructors

Glenous Favata
Registrar
Toledo Zoo

Elisabeth Hunt
ISIS

Lynn McDuffie
Zoological Manager/Registrar
Disney's Animal Kingdom

Adrienne Miller
Registrar
Audubon Zoo

Karin Schwartz
Registrar
Milwaukee County Zoo

Course Topics

History and evolution of record-keeping;
Importance of accurate record-keeping;
Introduction of Data Standards.

Mechanics of Communication

Basic communication skills;
The whole brain approach-dominance of cerebral or limbic modes affect behavior;
Understanding of other's behavior facilitates communication;
Communication with animal care staff-need for keeper training.

Data Flow Within the Institution

Life cycle of data;
Data management systems;
Data flow and data quality.

Principles and Applications of Records-Keeping - ARKS4 - Part 1

Overview of ARKS4-discussion of ISIS software;
Principles of accessions;
Data entry for accessions.

Principles and Applications of Records-Keeping - ARKS4 - Part 2

Principles of deaccessions;
Data entry for deaccessions - ARKS4 practical experience;
Data entry for groups.

Population Management - SSP's and PMP's

Cooperative, coordinated species management: SSPs and PMPs;
Purposes;
Studbooks-source of data, genetic and demographic analysis.

Systematics and Taxonomy

Relevance to population management;
Importance of identification of species/subspecies and accurate data entry.

Genetics and Demography

Importance, terms and theory, impact of data;
Types of analysis and reports.

SPARKS

Relationship between SPARKS, ARKS and ISIS central database;
Impact of ARKS data quality on studbook information;
Introduction of standards for data entry for studbooks.

Permits and Regulations

Value of records as reporting tool;
Documentation for government agencies;
Public access to institutional information.

Institutional Role of Records and Data

Decisions made for animal collection based on specimen data;
Impact of records on institutional collection plans;
Curator science: testing hypotheses through use of animal records.

ISIS Tools

ISIS Web site, species abstracts, international database access, Web links, technical support.

Principles and Applications of Records-Keeping ARKS4 - Part 3

Data entry - Identifiers, enclosures, special data, measurements, reports;
Records challenges - taxon specific issues.

Data Quality Overview

Interzoo data checks;
Linking within the ISIS database;
Link Discrepancy Report.

Data Quality Control Tools

Interzoo / intrazoo data checks;
ARKS4 data validation utilities
ISIS monthly error reports

Studbooks

Management of studbooks within the institution;
Mechanisms for verifying studbook data;
Updating institutional data.

Records Management / Accessibility

Definitions and principles;
Development of a records management program;
Systems for data recovery.

Historical Records

Importance and uses of historical data;
Identify sources of historical records;
Recommend guidelines for entering historical data.

ISIS Software

Question and Answer Session.

Sample Course Schedule

Download the course schedule (in PDF).

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