September 2021
AZA Animal Programs Tip-of-the-Month
If there are any Officer or Advisor updates to be made on your Animal Program page of the AZA Animal Programs Database, you can email the AZA Conservation, Management, & Welfare Sciences Department to make those changes for you!
ZIMS for Studbooks Tip-of-the-Month
Many ZIMS for Studbooks reference guides are available on the AZA website. Be sure to read through these, especially if you are a new Studbook Keeper!
2021 Virtual Annual Conference
Important conversations and presentations are taking place at the 2021 Virtual AZA Annual Conference! More information and to register, visit the AZA website.
- Animal Program Leaders Meeting - Wednesday, September 8 from 12-1pm EDT
- APM Committee - Updates and Discussion regarding the Reimagination of Animal Programs – Monday, September 20 from 2:30-3:30pm EDT
- Ambassador Animals and AZA Animal Programs: Partnerships for Sustainable Populations – Monday, September 20, 4-4:45pm EDT
- Ambassador Animal Tough Conversations – Friday, September 24 from 2:30-3:30pm EDT
Institutional Data Management Advisory Group Now Recruiting
AZA’s Institutional Data Management Scientific Advisory Group (IDMAG), is here to help with any data management and record standard needs. If your SAG, TAG, facility, or any other group needs guidance or assistance with these matters or has questions pertaining to these subjects, please reach out to Debbie Johnson.
IDMAG is also currently seeking recruitment for new members at any level within the organization. While at this time IDMAG is comprised of data management and records standard experts, IDMAG is recruiting for those who are newer to the zoo/aquarium profession but have a strong interest in these subjects. If you are interested in joining or have questions about IDMAG, please email Debbie Johnson.
Animal Program Articles
The August population sustainability issue of Connect is now available! Be sure to read the four feature articles and a new SSP Highlight:
- Improving Supply Chains for Aquatic Collections
- An Investment in the Greater Good
- PMCTrack at Ten
- Collaborating for Population Sustainability
- Blue-throated Macaw SSP: Preserving Parrots
Interested in writing an SSP Highlight for your program to share your successes with the community? A sample template is available on the AZA website to help you get started. Drafts are accepted anytime and can be submitted to the AZA's Conservation, Management, & Welfare Sciences Department.
AZA SAFE
In coordination with the AZA Asian Hornbill SAFE, the Woodland Park Zoo is committed to continuing efforts to collect nest adoption contributions to the hornbill nest adoption program run by the Thailand Hornbill Project/Hornbill Research Foundation (THP/HRF). The THP/HRF is an outstanding community-based conservation program, with all funds going directly towards engaging and employing rural Thai communities to become stewards and guardians of their environment, protecting hornbill from poaching and deforestation and active monitoring of multiple hornbill species: Greats, Rhinos, Wrinkled, Helmeted, Wreathed, Oriental pied, etc. For only $150 per adoption, it is affordable and extremely rewarding to support such a well-run and impactful conservation program that has many positive impacts on wild hornbill populations and local communities in Thailand.
If your zoo is interested in participating in efforts to support the THP/HRF nest adoption program, and would like to contribute through Woodland Park Zoo's account, please feel free to contact Mark Myers or Bobbi Miller. For more details: www.zoo.org/nestadoptions
Are you interested in proposing or joining a SAFE program? Reach out to your colleagues or contact SAFE@aza.org for more information. Don't forget to join the SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction Network group for real-time updates.
AZA Calendar
Past Webinars:
Please visit www.aza.org/webinars to view recordings of ones you missed.
- My SSP Needs Help! Introduction to interim breeding and transfer recommendations for population management
- In Part 1, we introduced population management tools and resources, provided examples of when you may need interim analyses and answered some of your questions about interim population planning.
- In Part 2, we took a deeper dive looking at how these tools and resources have been applied to real world interim planning examples and answered some of your questions via a panel of experts.
- Communication #1, Managing animal programs: In this webinar we discussed how communication and networking are keys to success.
- Communication #2: In this webinar we discussed how to get organized for planning and discover helpful tools for virtual planning meetings.
- Thinking outside the box: non-traditional population management
As we did with the previous virtual conferences, AZA will again be hosting AZA Committees, SAGs, Animal Programs, and SAFE Species open meetings prior to the 2021 Virtual Annual Conference. These "Meeting Weeks" provide the opportunity for these groups to hold open meetings for the AZA community to attend. Join us September 7-10 for Animal Program (TAG and SSP) and SAFE Species meetings, and September 13-16 for Committee and SAG meetings.
Meeting Weeks access is included with a Full Annual Conference registration. A $25 Meeting Weeks registration fee will be required to access all meetings for Daily Annual Conference registrants and those who are not registered for the Full Annual Conference. The $25 registration fee applies to AZA individual members and non-members.
Reach out to Cheryl Andrews, AZA Director of Conferences, with any questions.
The AZA 2021 Virtual Annual Conference is September 20-24. Join us for five days of online and interactive offerings, including peer-led learning, guest speakers, connections with colleagues, and product and service providers. Or, spread out the learning and access on-demand recordings the week after for up to 90 days. The Virtual Annual Conference brings together the zoo and aquarium community for continued learning and connections. Registration is now open.
The Detroit Zoological Society's Center for Zoo and Aquarium Animal Welfare and Ethics is offering an immersive five-day workshop October 4-8. The workshop is designed to help participants better understand animals' perspectives and experiences, address the challenges imposed on animal welfare, and develop the skills necessary to assess and improve overall well-being. The workshop is comprised of lectures, discussions, group projects, and hands-on exercises at the Detroit Zoo. If public health reasons necessitate cancellation of the in-person workshop, a virtual workshop will be offered as an optional alternative.
This course is designed for animal care professionals employed by accredited organizations that promote excellent animal welfare, such as those accredited by the AZA, other regional zoo and aquarium accrediting bodies, and the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.
For more information and to apply, please visit the CZAW website or email CZAW.
Please visit the AZA calendar to find the current list of workshops, meetings, and training opportunities that are of interest to Animal Program participants and other zoo and aquarium professionals. To add to this list, please email AZA's Conservation, Management, & Welfare Sciences Department
Funding and Awards
This award program identifies and rewards significant achievement in avian husbandry and conservation. Please see attached for descriptions, requirements, and submission forms. Contact Steve Sarro with any questions. The deadline for the submissions is November 1.
Visit AZA's Other Conservation Funding Sources page for information about grants provided by AZA-accredited institutions as well as external sources. Please email any other funding opportunities to AZA's Conservation, Management, & Welfare Sciences Department for posting on the website.
New Program Leaders
Scientific Advisory Group Chair
AMBASSADOR ANIMAL SCIENTIFIC ADVISOR GROUP (AASAG)
Jac Menish, Nashville Zoo, Inc.
INSTITUTIONAL DATA MANAGEMENT ADVISORY GROUP (IDMAG)
Krista Adelhart, Woodland Park Zoo
SSP Coordinator and Studbook Keeper
SHARK, BLACKTIP REEF
Sarah Hoback, Newport Aquarium
SKINK, PREHENSILE-TAILED
Ryan Dumas, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
SSP Coordinator
ADDAX
Molly Shea, Fossil Rim Wildlife Center
Studbook Keeper
BEAR, POLAR
Devon Sabo, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Candidate Program Leader
SHARK, SANDBAR
Kevin Becker, Adventure Aquarium
New Program Leader Vacancies
Find applications and instructions regarding vacancies in the Animal Program Handbooks. Applications are due October 1, 2021, unless otherwise noted. For a full list of available Program Leader positions, visit the Current Program Leader Vacancies page.
TAG Chair
AMPHIBIAN TAG
Please send application materials to the AZA Conservation, Management, & Welfare Sciences Department.
SSP Coordinator and Studbook Keeper
BOA, JAMAICAN
Please send application materials to Brian Aucone, Snake TAG Chair.
HIPPOPOTAMUS, RIVER
Please send application materials to Martin Ramirez, Hippo, Peccary, Pig, and Tapir TAG Chair.
PARROT, THICK-BILLED
Please send application materials to Dominick Dorsa, Parrot TAG Chair.
Other Animal Program Participant Vacancies
Ambassador Animal Advisor
Ambassador Animal Advisors work with TAG or SSP members to serve as a resource and provide expertise on topics related to the use of a taxon or species in an ambassador capacity. View the position description for more information on how to apply. Applications are accepted anytime.
Want to include a vacancy for your program? Only Program Leader positions are required to be posted to the Monthly Update, but if you are interested in announcing another position, we are happy to help. Please email the AZA Conservation, Management, & Welfare Sciences Department for posting on the website.
New Publications
Please note that all documents are available for download on the Program's page found by logging in and searching the Animal Programs Database.
Studbooks
Cat, Sand
Deer, Pere David’s
Duiker, Yellow-backed
Kea
Koala, Queensland
Lemur, Black and White Ruffed
Lizard, Caiman
Monkey, Patas
Parrot, Thick-billed
Seal, Harbor
Shark, Sand Tiger
Stork, Saddle-billed
Tamarin, Golden Lion
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Breeding & Transfer Plans
Babirusa
Binturong
Deer, Western Tufted
Frog, Dusky Gopher
Gecko, Giant Leaf-tailed
Gemsbok
Macaque, Japanese
Otter, Asian Small-clawed
Partridge, Crested Wood
Rattlesnake, Eastern Massasauga
Troupial
Animal Care Manuals
Capybara
Jellyfish – second edition
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Want to contribute to the Update?
All announcements for the monthly Animal Programs Update should be submitted to the AZA Conservation, Management, & Welfare Sciences Department by the 25th of the prior month.