Training forum?

P

Pattie_beaven

Member
No forum for training questions?

Who can I talk to to rectify this? I'm sure we all have training, enrichment, and behavior questions that we could help each other answer.
 
Hi...I work with zoos in Romania - there are 42 establishments here and not one of the keepers are professionally trained.

I believe a Forum for training etc would be extremely beneficial to a great deal of people and establishments.

Mal
 
There's a few professional specific associations where you can get information on training and enrichment. I'm a member of some of them, and there's some good information around.

Mal, have you tried to get in touch with EAZA regarding training?

All the best

Miguel
 
Hi, Thanks for the information....I have tried all the usual avenues but people seem to have their own agendas regarding Romania and the information is usually given in a very sketchy way....usually either "We are working on it" or no-reply at all.

I find it strange when in most cases (but certainly not all) the simplest of training can make all the difference.

Romania is a place where information is not shared but I am and will still do what I can to help bring the standards up to modern day standards.

To those who have replied I offer my gratitude and best wishes.

Mal
 
Hi Miguel, I do not know what the situation is like in Portugal, but here in Romania there are 42 zoos/aquaria and there is not one professionally trained keeper. I have been trying for sometime now to get hold of training manuals in all areas which I can get translated into Romanian. But it has been a difficult task - I do not want to re-invent the wheel, so thought to use existing working manuals. After translation it is hoped to do a number of workshops and hopefully courses to go with the materials.

It is not only Romania which has the challenge of bringing their zookeepers/directors to a position where they can bring the establishment up to modern zoo standards but I believe there are other countries especially in this south eastern part of Europe which would benefit from the correct training if made available.

Any assistance would be gratefully received....I would be interested in your thoughts on this.

Many thanks,

Mal
Zoolinx Romania - Home
 
Maybe there's an opportunity to exploit the superfluity of trainee animal care students in the west (i.e. too many wannabe zoo-keepers for too few jobs), by giving some the chance to work and pass on knowledge abroad in places like Romania - a bit like going abroad to teach English as a foreign language (TEFL), which has proved popular with young people over the years. Of course, it all costs money, even if wages are low or (non-existent).
 
Hi, Thanks for this.....I did try a couple of years ago but could find no-one willing to come over (I also asked ABWAK at the time for help on this).

I did take a group of interested people to a zoo here where we made a little difference (only for a while unfortunately) - on returning I found that things had gone back to normal. On another occasion a curator from the USA came over to find out what could be done to help, but nothing happened although we are still in contact. If the attitude here changes then a team from the US will come over and help for a week or two.

One angle I am looking at is to try and get the government to make it a legal requirement for keeping staff to be trained.....this may be a long way off and will certainly create a lot of discontent within the zoo world here, but could be the only real answer.

Meanwhile I am trying to put together a training manual and have it in Romanian which can be used with a number of workshops and giving them written material which they would (hopefully) use - once they see the difference that can be made - and how much more safely they can work.

Regards

Mal
 
Mal, are you looking for husbandry manuals and that sort of stuff?
I'm an animal trainer, so my experience with zoos is also focused on that area (I'm starting my own consulting company too), I'm happy to get some papers and info on this subject if you're interested...

Here's a link to a few husbandry manuals: Husbandry Manuals

Hope it helps, let me know any specifics
All the best
 
Hi Miguel, many thanks for the link....I am collecting Husbandry Manuals mainly for European species as I am currently putting together a collection plan for my project.

I have been looking for training programmes such as the ZooTec International curriculum, I have not been able to make contact with these people so can only assume that they have gone out of business - so if anyone has a copy of this I would be so grateful as I do not want to try and re-invent the wheel. As I have mentioned before there are no professionally trained keepers here in Romania and I am told this is quite normal for many countries in Eastern Europe - new keepers here can be working alone with big cats/bears etc within a couple of days at an establishment with their only contact with any animal being stroking the family cat!

As part of my project the establishment of a zookeeper training course is priority and will be made available (when established) to all Eastern European countries and even further.

Good luck with your consulting business.

Regards,

Mal
 
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