May 2020

AZA Animal Programs Tip-of-the-Month

Please join the AZA Animal Population Management (APM) Committee members, Population Management Center (PMC) staff, Alexander Center staff, and AZA staff on the upcoming Program Leader Webinar to hear general updates with Animal Programs, PMCTrack, ZIMS for Studbooks, and much more! This is also a chance to hear about discussions surrounding the APM Committee's strategic plan initiatives and get your questions answered "in-person." This live webinar will be offered twice to allow for some scheduling flexibility for attendees. Please register for one (or both) of these sessions!
 
Program Leader Webinar #1:
attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3539426192590430732 
Tuesday, May 12 from 3:00pm-5:30pm Eastern
 
Program Leader Webinar #2:
attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4513528623614471948 
Wednesday, May 13 from 3:00pm-5:30pm Eastern

AZA SAFE

Did you miss the 2020 SAFE Updates webinar in April? You can view it here to learn more about SAFE progress to date, opportunities to engage, new resources, and how to stay up-to-date on SAFE species program developments.

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 like these, and more. 

AZA Calendar

Save the Date:

• June 23: Virtual Larval Fish Science Town Hall
• Oct 5-9: From Good Care to Great Welfare Workshop; Detroit Zoo, Royal Oak, Michigan

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 conservation@aza.org.

Funding and Award Opportunities

Research Award 
Established in 2020, the Research Award was created collaboratively by the Honors and Awards and Research and Technology Committees. This new award recognizes exceptional efforts by AZA Accredited, Related Facility or Conservation Partner members to advance the body of scientific knowledge as it relates to providing excellent welfare for the animals in our care, understanding biological principles, advancing field conservation efforts, and maximizing our impact on visitors. Learn more and apply on the AZA website. Applications are due July 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.

ASAG PLUME Award Winners

Congratulations to all of these facilities for their hard work!

PLUME #1: Long Term Avian Propagation Program Winner is:
Fossil Rim, "Attwater's Prairie Chicken Captive Rearing Program" 

• Honorable Mentions 
  • Sea World San Diego, "Penguin Breeding Program."
  • Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, "Steller's Sea Eagle Propagation Program"

PLUME #2: Noteworthy Achievement in Avian Husbandry Winner is:
Smithsonian's National Zoo "Propagation of North American Migratory Songbirds at an AZA Facility"

• Honorable Mention 
  • Denver Zoo, "Voluntary Radiographs on a Male Double-wattled Cassowary (Neville)"

New Program Leaders

TAG Chair

BEAR TAG
Travis Vineyard, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

SSP Coordinator and Studbook Keeper

TORTOISE, BROWN FOREST
Andre Daneault, Disney’s Animal Kingdom

TORTOISE, BURMESE BLACK
Andre Daneault, Disney’s Animal Kingdom

TURTLE, VIETNAMESE POND
Michael, Lieto, Bronx Zoo

SSP Coordinator

DOVE, PINK-NECKED (TEMMINCK’S) FRUIT
Monica Blackwell, Toledo Zoo & Aquarium

SEAL, HARBOR
Rachel Metz, Smithsonian National Zoological Park

Studbook Keeper

MACAQUE, JAPANESE
Val Hautekeete, Blank Park Zoo

SEAL, HARBOR
Johanna Soto, Henry Vilas Zoo

TURTLE, SPOTTED
Bill Hughes, Tennessee Aquarium

New Program Leader Vacancies

Find applications and instructions regarding vacancies in the Animal Program Handbooks.  Applications are due June 1, 2020, unless otherwise noted. For a full list of available Program Leader positions, visit the Current Program Leader Vacancies page.

TAG Chair

COLUMBIFORMES TAG
Please send application materials to the AZA Conservation, Management, and Welfare Sciences Department.

PARROT TAG
Please send application materials to the AZA Conservation, Management, and Welfare Sciences Department.

SP Coordinator and Studbook Keeper

PEAFOWL, CONGO
Please send application materials to Chris Holmes, Galliformes TAG Chair.

SSP Coordinator

BEAR, SLOTH
Please send application materials to Travis Vineyard, Bear 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 Programs Database.

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.