Crocodilian Biology and Professional Management

After completing this course participants will:

• Demonstrate knowledge of professional maintenance techniques, husbandry, breeding, nesting, egg incubation, training, and more

• Demonstrate knowledge of crocodilian biology such as taxonomy, reproductive biology, behavior, and anatomy

• Assess issues in conservation and in the management of crocodilian populations

• Apply a specialized skill set for crocodilian care developed through lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on wet labs 

• Facilitate optimal social grouping and introductions through effective enclosure designs

• Demonstrate ability to develop specialized strategies to benefit comprehensive requirements in caring for crocodiles, caiman, gharials, and alligators in zoos and aquariums 

Attendance is required for course participants for the duration of the course through evening of the Friday, May 12. As a result, individuals generally depart the following day, Saturday, May 13th. Attendees will receive a detailed schedule for their course after their registration is confirmed.

First Day: Friday, May 5th 
 - Students check into hotel by 3:30 PM 
 - Welcome & Introductions 5:30 ~ 9:45 PM

Mid-Week
- Classes meet 8:30 AM ~ 9:30 PM 

Last Day: Friday, May 12th 
- Classes meet until 4:00 PM 
- Evening Social at St. Augustine Alligator Farm 6:00-9:00 PM 

Optional Training hosted by St. Augustine Alligator Farm - Saturday, May 13th 
- Capture and Restraint Training Day offered by St. Augustine Alligator Farm (Optional - Add'l fee required)

Please note, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm will be offering capture training, separate from the AZA course, for an additional fee. Information on registering for this additional training will be provided upon admission to the course. Those attending the capture training should plan to travel home 8:00 PM on Saturday, May 13th or the following morning, Sunday, May 14th.

Core Faculty:
John Brueggen, Director - St. Augustine Alligator Farm
Jim Darlington, Curator of Reptiles - St. Augustine Alligator Farm
Steve Featherstone, Director - Reptile Adventure Camp
John Groves, Curator Emeritus of Amphibians and Reptiles- North Carolina Zoo
Jessi Krebs, Curator of Reptiles & Amphibians - Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo
Greg Lepera, Curator of Reptiles - Jacksonville Zoo (retired); Greg Lepera Photography
Matt Shirley, Ph.D., Florida International University
Kevin Torregrosa, Curator - Herpetology -  Bronx Zoo
Kent A. Vliet, Ph.D., Coordinator of Laboratories - University of Florida

Additional Lecturers:
Arianna Bailey, CPBT-KA, CPAT-KA, Show Manager - Natural Encounters, Inc.
Jen Brueggen, Crocodilian Biologist - St. Augustine Alligator Farm
Curt Harbsmeier, J.D., Executive Board Member - ZooTampa at Lowry Park
Darryl Heard, B.V., Ph.D., Service Chief in Zoological Medicine - Universiy of Florida: College of Veterinary Medicine
Elliott Jacobson, D.V.M., Ph. D., University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine
Trevor Mia, Curator of Education - St. Augustine Alligator Farm
Bruce Shwedick, Director - Crocodile Conservation Center of Florida
Bill Zeigler, Vice President - Aquarium & Zoo Resources, Inc.

This course is designed for zookeepers and professional biologists who work with crocodilians or who may work with them in the near future.

Prerequisites
Students must be at least 21 years of age. Priority will be given to AZA members, but volunteers and private herpetologists are welcome to attend. Those not affiliated with an AZA-accredited institution will be considered on a case-by-case basis; please submit a letter describing your intended benefit from taking this course to azatraining@aza.org for consideration.

Registration is full for this course. 

The registration fees below are from May 2023, and cover tuition and lunches each day. Other expenses include hotel, travel, and other meals. Registration prices are subject to change each year. 

AZA Accredited / Certified Institutions*
Early Bird Rate: Deadline 12 weeks prior to course start date
$1350 with Individual AZA Membership 
$1550 without Individual AZA Membership

Regular Rate: Deadline 4 weeks prior to course start date
$1550 with Individual AZA Membership 
$1750 without Individual AZA Membership

*This pricing is for anyone currently employed at an AZA accredited/certified institution.
Individual Membership must be Professional Affiliate or Professional Fellow to qualify.

Non-AZA Institutions*
Early Bird Rate: Deadline 12 weeks prior to course start date
$1550 with Individual AZA Membership

Regular Rate: Deadline 4 weeks prior to course start date
$1750 with Individual AZA Membership

*This pricing is for anyone who is not currently employed at an AZA accredited/certified institution.
Individual Membership must be Professional Associate to qualify.

Registration prices are subject to change.

For information regarding our registration and refund policies, please visit our Professional Development Course Policies page. Accepted forms of payment for registration are by credit card, check, or purchase order. 

To register with a credit card
You may now register and pay online with a credit card. After logging in, choose "Professional Development" from the menu on the left. Next, click on the title of the event for which you would like to register. Finally, choose "Event Registration" from the options at the top and complete the registration process. You will receive an acceptance email or waitlist email once acceptance decisions are made. 

To register with a check or purchase order
Please email your request to register, specifying the course and the name of whom you would like to register, to the Professional Development Coordinator.
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 email or a waitlist email once acceptance decisions are made. If you are not admitted into the course from the waitlist, a full refund will be promptly issued.

*Prices are subject to change

Air Travel
The Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) is the closest airport at 57.8 miles away (approximately 1 hour, 15 minutes) from the hotel and the St. Augustine Alligator Farm.

Lodging

AZA has a room block for students at the Holiday Inn Express: St. Augustine Dtwn - Historic, located at 601 Anastasia Blvd, St. Augustine, FL 32080

Nightly AZA Group Rate: $174*

*This is the averaged nightly rate 

Please wait until you are admitted into the course before making your reservations. You will receive an email containing detailed information regarding your accommodations and transportation once you are admitted.