Professional Development Resources

Photo: Jolene Westerling

Webinars

ZAA offers weekly webinars. If you are interested in viewing past webinars, you can join ZAA today.

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Breaking Down the Fourth Wall: Creative ways facilities can encourage guests to be active participants vs. passive spectators in everyday presentations

March 19th 2025 | Registration link.

Have you or your facility ever wondered how to encourage the staff to become more involved in your guests' day? In this webinar, we will be exploring the unique and innovative ways to engage the guests that choose to spend time with the animals we care for. Join us in how Dolphin Research Center “breaks the fourth wall” between the audience and trainers/ keepers so we can spread our love and passion for the animals in our care and to inspire visitors to conserve the natural environment. Oftentimes when guests visit zoos or aquariums, there is an invisible barrier between the audience and the keepers during a presentation. We’d like to encourage members of the ZAA community to think outside the box when it comes to guests becoming a part of the animals' success in sessions and incorporate them in daily narrations or training.

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Brevard Zoos Voluntary Hoof Trim Training Program

March 26th 2025 | Registration link.

This webinar with Kimberly Castrucci will talk about how they implemented their training program at Brevard Zoo. It focuses more on Grevy Zebra and Giraffe training, with some information on the other species they train.

Animal Training

OPTIMIZING ANIMAL WELFARE THROUGH TRAINING

Training plays a vital role in promoting the well-being of animals in managed care. The ZAA’s Animal Training Committee champions integrating evidence-based animal training practices as an essential component of comprehensive animal care alongside factors like nutrition, veterinary care, enrichment, and appropriate habitats.

THE BENEFITS OF ANIMAL TRAINING

Contemporary animal training transcends simple behavior change. By employing a combination of behavior analysis, ethology, phylogeny, and extensive practical application, today’s animal training fosters a deeper understanding of animal behavior, allowing for the development of training programs tailored to an animal’s individual needs and specific contexts. These programs provide numerous benefits for animals in managed care, including the following:

Enhanced Animal Welfare: Training facilitates cooperation in medical care, allows for the implementation of enriching activities, supports day-to-day care, and promotes overall well-being.

Conservation Support: Training can be instrumental in learning about a species, preparing animals for reintroduction programs, and teaching behaviors that contribute to conservation efforts.

Guest Engagement: Well-trained animals can serve as effective ambassadors for their wild counterparts, inspiring guests to become advocates for wildlife conservation.

Interested in Learning More about The Animal Training Committee? View their factsheet below!

Photo: Jolene Westerling

Magazine

Would you like to access previous issues of the ZAA Journal?

Join ZAA to view the journal archives for ZAA professional development webinar archives, and more.

Inside the December 2024 Issue

Advocate | ZAA International

Educate | Enrichment in Action - An Interactive Exhibit to Educate and Enhance Guest Experience

Conserve | 2024 ZAA Annual Conference Conservation Panel

Behavior Buzz | A Deep Dive into Differential Reinforcement

Wild About Welfare | Presented by the Animal Welfare Committee

Bonus Article - Advocate: Congratulations to our 2024 ZAA Award Winners

Bonus Article - Advocate: The Rhino Keeper

Bonus Article - Educate: Impact of Feeding Encounter Involving Pygmy Hippopotamus

Bonus Article - Conserve: Cheetah Outreach Trust: Counting the Spots...

Advertise in the ZAA Magazine

Click here to learn more about our ad rates.

If you would like to advertise in the quarterly ZAA Magazine, email [email protected].

Submission deadlines:

1st of March, June, September, December

Events

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Virtual 4-Week Course: Parrot Training and Behavior - The Natural Encounters, Inc., Training and Education Center (NEI TEC)

Tuesdays: March 11, 18, 2025 | Online

Click here for more information.

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Recall Training with Parrots

March 16, 2025 from 1-3pm EST

Register here.

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SDZWA Safe Capture Training Events

March 17-18, 2025 | St Joseph, Missouri (Missouri Western State Univ.)

March 22-23, 2025 | Lincoln, Nebraska (Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln)

April 5-6, 2025 | Phoenix, Arizona (Arizona Game & Fish Dept.)

Click here for more information.

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Cooperative Care for Low Stress Veterinary Procedures with Parrots

April 12, 2025 From 1-2pm EST

Register here

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Bitesize Behaviour Series: Raptors Reimagined - A Holistic Approach to Choice-Based Care and Training - Virtual 10 Week Course on Contemporary Raptor Care and Management

Tuesdays beginning April 15, 2025 from 2-4pm EST

Early Bird Registration pricing ends March 15

Register here.

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Virtual 4-Week Course: Ambassador Animal Training and Welfare - The Natural Encounters, Inc., Training and Education Center (NEI TEC)

Thursdays: May 8, 15, 22, 29, 2025 | Online

Click here for more information.

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Reaching and Helping the Biting Parrot

May 18, 2025 From 1-3pm EST

Click here for more information.

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Professional Contemporary Animal Training and Management Workshop - The Natural Encounters, Inc., Training and Education Center (NEI TEC)

November 8-13, 2025 | Winter Haven, Florida

Click here for more information.