Course Tuition: $2,500.00 week
Tuesday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (lunch provided)
Course Registration
Download the Application Form: CLICK HERE
Download Course Information Sheet: CLICK HERE
Limited class size: first come, first served
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 wait list letter once acceptance decisions are made.
If you have any questions about your acceptance or need additional information contact Dade City's Wild Things at 352-567-WILD (9453).
Travel and Accommodations
Please wait until you are admitted into the course before making your reservations.
You will receive a confirmation letter containing detailed information regarding accommodations once you are admitted.
Course Objective
This course continues in more depth and hands-on the focuses on the very highest standards in animal husbandry, understanding species specific, emergency protocal and weapons, educate in regulations and understanding all aspects of Zoo Keeping.
It is more advanced level of all aspects of Zoo care, animal needs and responsibilities. It will include daily demonstrations at the Zoo with a very diverse collection of animals. It is also a pre-requisite to 404-A Basic Animal Training.
Target Audience
Currently employed and future animal care professionals. Required pre-requisite 101A Animal Keeping Professional Training Course.
Course Topics
A detailed course on all aspects of zoo keeping. If you are interested in being a zookeeper or are in the field and want a more detailed overview of all aspects of zoo keepings, understanding the animals species specific and running a zoo.
Rules of the Zoo
What is zoology / zoo keeping
Safety protocols - advanced and demonstrated
Emergency and escape protocol - advanced and demonstrated
Emergency or escape - what, when and how to use a weapon
Government rules in details
Requirements for FCF, USDA, CITIES, FF&W, migratory bird, Lacy Act, AUA, code requirements, etc.
Working with volunteers and interns - description of programs - advanced and demonstrated
Volunteer requirements and regulations
Working with volunteers - benefits and challenges
Tours and public protocols - advanced and demonstrated
Talking to the media - advanced and demonstrated
The keeper's role in education - advanced and demonstrated
Working with animal ambassadors
How captive species benefits conservation - advanced and demonstrated
Recordkeeping
Animal Husbandry
• Animal Behavior (training, enrichment, observational skills) - advanced and demonstrated
• Species differation, origin, behavioral - advanced and demonstrated
• Understanding differences wild VS captive - advanced and demonstrated
• habits and personalities of animals verses species specific
• Cleaning and maintenance of enclosures - advanced and demonstrated
• Enrichment: what is it, how its species specific designed and applied - advanced and demonstrated
• Enrichment: species specific preparation and planning
• Horticulture-Landscaping: enrichment, placement benefits and camouflage
• Handling, Restraint and transport - advanced and demonstrated
• Reproduction - advanced
• Animal Shipments, Quarantine - advanced and demonstrated
• Water Quality and types of administrating - advanced and demonstrated
• Nutrition: diet planning, preparation and feeding - advanced and demonstrated
• State and Federal laws on kitchen standards
• Poisons and pest control - advanced and demonstrated
• Geriatric Care - advanced and demonstrated
• Pediatric Care - advanced and demonstrated
• Veterinary: vet care and records, administrating medications types and ways
• Health - sedation: recognizing signs of illness, when to contact management or veterinarian
• Restraints - weapons available for sedation and how and when to use them
Understanding Your Animal (Species Specific)
• diet - age appropriate
• strengths
• hunting skills
• medical needs
• communication skills: sounds, motions, facial, body language, posturing, placement of body in environment
• dominance
• environmental needs and dangers
• weaknesses
• temperament or personality
• enrichment needs
• restraints
• training
• laws: State and Federal
• poisons |
