Papers Presented at the AZAD 2007 Conference
Saint Louis Zoo, Saint Louis MO
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Box Turtles in Trouble: Going,
Going, Gone - Awaiting permission to post
Lynda Cole, Founder and Director, St. Louis/Midwest Turtle and Tortoise
Society
Box turtles are unique creatures. Come
and explore the natural history of these animals, the natural and man-made
dangers they face, and current conservation efforts. Lynda has some
interesting rescue stories and “turtle-ographies” to share.
The Come
Back Kid: The Black Footed Ferret Conservation Program
Gretchen Lloyd, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
(Colorado Springs)
This presentation will cover the
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s involvement in the black footed ferret recovery
project. Gretchen will identify the reasons the program was established and
discuss the obstacles that were encountered. Were they overcome? Well, this
talk is titled The Come Back Kid.
Connecting
Children with Nature: What Zoo’s Can Do
Laura Seger, Education Specialist, Saint Louis Zoo
One of the main concerns of zoo
educational programs is addressing and correcting the increasing disconnect
between America’s youth and nature. Laura will discuss what the Saint Louis Zoo
is doing to address the phenomenon of “nature deficit disorder” through new
course offerings specifically intended to help parents and their children
reconnect with the wildlife in their own backyard.
Elephants
in Arkansas & Sumatra Helping Conservation
Heidi Riddle, Advisor, International
Elephant Foundation (IEF), Riddles Elephant and Wildlife Sanctuary
Elephants in Arkansas? Most definitely!
Studying the habits and physiology of their African and Asian elephants, the
sanctuary’s mission is to ensure that knowledge and understanding of these
endangered species benefits elephants both here and in their range states.
After a brief discussion of research efforts, Heidi will take us on a virtual
visit to the Seblat Elephant Camp in Sumatra, describing the dual efforts
toward conservation and mitigation of human-elephant conflict taking place.
Enriching
Our Visitors While Enriching Our Animals: Using Animal Enrichment as a Teaching
Tool
Jill Garnett, Potter Park Zoo (Lansing,
Michigan)
Enrichment activities have the
potential to become an awesome educational tool. Docent activities set the
stage for a creative learning experience, and once an enrichment is underway,
the animals take center stage. The docents of the Potter Park Zoo are melding
their involvement in the zoo’s enrichment program with their natural
inclination to educate. Learn the variety of ways docents are working to reach
their zoo public.
Dave Sansing, Toledo Zoo
We are looking for willing docents to
take our puppets and plunge into the story of “Jump, Frog, Jump”! The Toledo
Zoo began reworking their educational programs in 2003 with the help of an
AZAD grant. One of the revised classes is Food Chains and Dave will present
this new class about the web of life, which features interac
From North to
South: A Bird’s Eye View
Jane Donnelly, Coordinator of
Volunteers, Central Park Zoo
Facing the plight of habitat
degradation at both ends of their flight, Boreal Forests in the north and Rain
Forests in the south, migrating birds are among the first species to feel the
effects. This presentation will educate docents about the need for conservation
of both habitats. It will offer them a method of interpreting the facts and
will include practical ways for people to become part of the solution.
The Gray
Whale Watch Program of Oregon
Gloria Koch, Oregon Zoo
The gray whale’s migration is one of
the longest of all mammals, averaging 6,000 to 7,000 miles each way. Oregon Zoo
docents participate in the summer and winter migration watches. During the
summer, approximately 200 gray whales stay along the Oregon coastline, often
within 50 feet of the rocky shore. Imagine an aquarium not inside a building!
The nearness of these animals to land draws a captive audience allowing
docents to educate visitors about the whales, what conservation measures are in
place and how people can help the Eastern Pacific gray whale.
Diane and Dick Tyk, Milwaukee County
Zoo
This program will cover how Zoo Pride,
the Volunteer Auxiliary of the Zoological Society of Milwaukee County, began
fund raising for conservation projects. Diane and Dick will explain how Zoo
Pride got started, how they select projects, and the tools and techniques they
use to raise funds. They will also share some of the Auxiliary’s projects and
success stories.
Kim Sneden, Curator of Education,
Detroit Zoo
The Madeleine Berman Academy for
Humane Education at the Detroit Zoo has a broad range of programs that offer
formal and informal experiences so that audiences understand the need to treat
other living creatures with respect, empathy and gentleness. This presentation
will explore some of the issues facing animals today and give an overview of
the Academy’s programming. It will highlight City Critters, an outreach program
designed to help children discover that conservation begins in their own
backyard as they learn to peacefully co-exist with (or avoid) animals who
share their neighborhoods.
Bob Merz, Zoological Manager of
Invertebrates, Saint Louis Zoo
The project: create a sustainable,
outdoor invertebrate-themed exhibit at a small, rural zoo in Madagascar. The
challenges were daunting – a five week timeline, no electricity or running
water at a barebones zoo, and the collection was limited to the bugs that could
be captured on zoo property! Learn how the immensely imaginative staff applied
their limitless enthusiasm to see this project through to completion.
On the Right
Track: Innovative Zoo Partnerships that Protect Snow Leopards and Their
Environment
Marissa Berryman, Snow Leopard Trust
How do you get a community of herders
to value an animal that preys on its stock? The Snow Leopard Trust collaborates
with over 40 zoos on projects in 5 countries. Learn how the Trust is using
science, education and commerce to protect this beautiful cat.
Petals and
Wings: Let’s Work Together
Donna Dupske, Manager of Educational
Services, and Bob Noe, Docent, The Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House
(Chesterfield, MO)
All docents hope that childhood
interest transitions to adult activism. Butterflies can be ambassadors for the
great outdoors. As children learn to appreciate the butterflies, docents can
help them understand what the butterflies need to thrive. This, in turn, grows
into understanding the concepts of habitat: the neighborhood and its necessary
neighbors.
Piňata Palooza - How To Turn
Cardboard Into Conservation (and give the animals a treat, too!) (Workshop) - Awaiting permission to post
Theresa Pasquarella and Kimberlee
Raymond, Lincoln Park Zoo
Are you ready to get your fingers
dirty, or stand back and watch the fun? Then come join Theresa and Kimberlee and
learn how to make exciting enrichment items for the critters back home at your
zoo. The Lincoln Park docents will show a video of some of the unique piñatas
they have created for their animals and share recipes for papier mache and
other projects. (Docents from the Lincoln Park Zoo supplied piñatas for Zoo Day
enrichment of the gorillas, tiger and Komodo dragon.)
Presenting
a Special Event for Your Zoo
Laurie Liggett, Sharon Turpin and Lisa
Snyder, Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden (Evansville, Indiana)
Have you ever wanted to put on a bash
with a splash? Using examples from their experience, the Mesker Park Zoo &
Botanic Garden docents will provide a detailed road map for putting on a
special event at the zoo. Learn how to plan, what worked, what didn’t, and how
they intend to improve upon “Donna the Hippo’s (55th) Birthday Splash.”
(Birthday Bash T-Shirts will be available for purchase immediatly following the
presentation)
Coleen Hackwell, Utah’s Hogle Zoo
Eve, a female Bornean orangutan at the
Hogle Zoo, had to have a cesarean in 2005. When she came out of the anesthetic,
she had no idea that the baby was hers. When the keepers determined that Acara
needed to be hand raised, the Hogle Zoo docents jumped at the chance to help.
Coleen will share the story of their nine months of raising Acara, including
what procedures were followed, how the keepers and docents interacted with each
other, and the amazing and touching results.
Karen Holmes and Marilyn McCormick,
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo
You hand raise Bambio, a baby gorilla,
and observe her difficulties interacting with adult gorillas when introduced
to them at two years of age. Now her mother is expecting another baby and if
mom again refuses to raise her new offspring, how can you avoid the problems
Bambio is experiencing? This presentation will take you down the path the zoo
staff and docents followed when introducing the next infant, Baina, and you
will understand why they say, “Rosie rules!”
Sending
Conservation to New Heights: The Little Rock Zoo BOP Program
Amanda Galiano and Kenley Money, Little
Rock Zoo
The Little Rock Zoo’s conservation message
soars on the wings of eagles…and the occasional vulture, hawk or falcon. In
describing one of the only programs where volunteers are trained to handle and
care for the birds as well as educate the public, the Little Rock Zoo Docents
will share their “in your face” approach. Included will be some fun facts,
stories and surprises, so you can get a real idea of what goes on when you BOP
over to the Little Rock Zoo.
Vickie O’Neil and Kay Neubauer, Saint
Louis Zoo
Artificial insemination and
contraception are two concepts at opposite ends of the reproductive spectrum.
Today, zoos are places where the future of some species will be decided, and
hopefully, secured. Vickie and Kay will lead us through the evolution of
reproductive management and discuss how artificial insemination and
contraception play an important part in conservation efforts.
Rita McCall and Jackie Price, Kansas
City Zoo
The Story Stop program was developed
to introduce and promote a fascination and appreciation for animals among our
youngest visitors (under age seven). This age group is not emotionally mature
enough to deal with the complexities of conservation issues. The Kansas City
Zoo docents will walk you through the development of their program. They will
also share the results from the program evaluation, as well as changes planned
for the 2007 season.
Voluntourism:
Doing Great Things In Great Places For A Great Cause!
Representative Earthwatch Institute
(Boston, Massachusetts) and Linda Reifschneider, Field Representative and Saint
Louis Zoo Docent
Have you ever wanted to be Jane
Goodall for a week? If you have ever had the desire to participate in and
better understand conservation fieldwork, you must meet Earthwatch Institute.
Earthwatch provides unique opportunities to travel within the USA or to remote
corners of the world to volunteer your time and energy in support of
conservation, community and environmental efforts. This session will explore
how volunteer travel experiences can impact your conservation efforts and your
message to the public.
Mary Lasko, Jo Anne Travis and Marianne
Unanue, Saint Louis Zoo
The aim of this pilot program at the
Saint Louis Zoo is to help young children (grades K-2) understand that all
animals require food, water, shelter, and something to do with their time. The
class explores different ways these needs are met at the zoo, in the wild
(outdoors) and at home (household pets). The St. Louis docents will present We
Care complete with costumes, puppets and animals.
What
does Northwest Ohio and the Toledo Zoo Have, That No Other Area of The Country
Has?
Tim Hyma, Lynn Lyons, Dixie Repp,Tina
Hibbs, Roger Baker and Joanne Vick, Toledo Zoo
What happened when the plug was pulled
at Niagara Falls? Moreover, what became of Lake Warren? Toledo Zoo docents will
describe the Oak Openings Region, designated by the Nature Conservancy as “one
of America’s last great places.” They will give a brief overview of the
geological features of the region and talk about some of the many efforts the
Toledo Zoo docents are making to conserve this one of a kind resource.
Zoos and
Field Conservation: A Winning Combination!
R. Eric Miller, DVM, Director, WildCare
Institute, Saint Louis Zoo
Zoos and other institutions are
sharing their expertise to help wildlife in their native habitats. Dr. Miller
will summarize cooperative initiatives the Saint Louis Zoo’s WildCare Institute
and its partners have taken on during the first two years of WCI’s existence.
(The 180 partners include many of the organizations represented by our
conference attendees.) This talk will be an uplifting glimpse of how zoos in
the United States are better connecting to helping wildlife around the
world.
Zoo Teens: A
Summer Volunteer Program
Laurie Machen and Jim Adams, Pittsburgh
Zoo
The Zoo Teen program provides a fun
and fulfilling educational experience for teens (ages fourteen to seventeen).
For eight weeks during the summer, the teens work at least one day per week in
a variety of jobs. The program allows teens who love animals or wish to pursue
a career in animal science or education to interact with each other and share
their interests. Laurie and Jim will describe the planning and implementation
required for the success of this summer program.
Laurie Machen and Jim Adams, Pittsburgh
Zoo
The Zoo Teen program provides a fun
and fulfilling educational experience for teens (ages fourteen to seventeen).
For eight weeks during the summer, the teens work at least one day per week in
a variety of jobs. The program allows teens who love animals or wish to pursue
a career in animal science or education to interact with each other and share
their interests. Laurie and Jim will describe the planning and implementation
required for the success of this summer program.
09/10/08