Husbandry Course Information
The Orangutan SSP is hosting it's second ever Orangutan SSP Husbandry Course. The Husbandry Course is a stand-alone class and is being held PRIOR TO the first day of the annual Orangutan SSP Husbandry Workshop.
The husbandry course is a first of its kind. The course will be an intensive one day experience focused on orangutan husbandry, care and welfare. The day will include multiple lectures on the various aspects of orangutan husbandry. The course instructors are members of the Orangutan SSP Steering Committee who are experts in their respective fields. Participants in the course, can expect a busy and exciting day with zoo colleagues, learning the state-of-the art information on orangutan husbandry taught by a group of experts.
This class is scheduled to be held on Saturday, August 18, 2018 prior to the start of the Orangutan SSP Husbandry Workshop. The cost for the course is $200 and includes all meals and transportation from the Workshop Hotel. Both events are being hosted by the Kansas City Zoo. For more information on the Husbandry Course, contact Erin Jones at [email protected]. A minimum number of students is needed in order for this class to be held. You can register in advance prior to sending in the course fee.
Online Registration for course and workshop
Course Objectives:
Orangutan SSP Husbandry Course Schedule
7:30 to 8AM: Continental Breakfast
8 to 8:30: SSP Overview (Lori Perkins)
Students will learn about:
8:30 to 10:15AM: Natural history and behavior - (Meredith Bastian, PhD)
Students will learn about:
10:15-10:30 BREAK
10:30 to 11:30: Reproduction, Birth Management and Hand Rearing – (Carol Sodaro)
Students learn about:
11:30 to 12PM: Caregiver relationships - (Cindy Cossaboon)
Students will learn about:
12:00 to 1PM: Introductions – (Dina Bredahl and Carol Sodaro)
Students will learn about:
1:00 to 2PM: Lunch
Students will learn about:
2:00 to 2:45PM: Orangutan Nutrition and Body Condition – (Deb Schmidt)
Students will learn about:
2:45 to 3PM: BREAK
3 to 4:15PM: Veterinary Overview – (Joe Smith, DVM)
Students will learn about:
4:15 to 5:40 Training - (Dina Bredahl, Cindy Cossaboon, Erin Jones and Lynn Yakubinis)
Students will learn about:
5:45 to 6:00PM: Wrap up/give out link for feedback survey
6:00 to 8:00: Dinner, Graduation and Orangutan Jeopardy
The husbandry course is a first of its kind. The course will be an intensive one day experience focused on orangutan husbandry, care and welfare. The day will include multiple lectures on the various aspects of orangutan husbandry. The course instructors are members of the Orangutan SSP Steering Committee who are experts in their respective fields. Participants in the course, can expect a busy and exciting day with zoo colleagues, learning the state-of-the art information on orangutan husbandry taught by a group of experts.
This class is scheduled to be held on Saturday, August 18, 2018 prior to the start of the Orangutan SSP Husbandry Workshop. The cost for the course is $200 and includes all meals and transportation from the Workshop Hotel. Both events are being hosted by the Kansas City Zoo. For more information on the Husbandry Course, contact Erin Jones at [email protected]. A minimum number of students is needed in order for this class to be held. You can register in advance prior to sending in the course fee.
Online Registration for course and workshop
Course Objectives:
Orangutan SSP Husbandry Course Schedule
7:30 to 8AM: Continental Breakfast
8 to 8:30: SSP Overview (Lori Perkins)
Students will learn about:
- The history of the SSP
- Population management
- Future challenges to population management
8:30 to 10:15AM: Natural history and behavior - (Meredith Bastian, PhD)
Students will learn about:
- The natural history and behavior of the wild orangutan including the identification of physical and behavioral differences between Sumatran and Bornean Orangutans
- Understanding and interpretation of behavior and vocalizations of orangutans in the care of humans.
10:15-10:30 BREAK
10:30 to 11:30: Reproduction, Birth Management and Hand Rearing – (Carol Sodaro)
Students learn about:
- Learn about reproductive systems of orangutans, estrus, reproductive monitoring and pregnancy determination
- Develop a birth management plan with vets/management/staff and SSP guidelines including how to handle a nulliparous female
- Discussion on available resources
- Brief overview of hand-rearing
11:30 to 12PM: Caregiver relationships - (Cindy Cossaboon)
Students will learn about:
- The basics of developing a relationship with an orangutan
- Why caregiver relationships are important and the responsibilities of being an excellent caregiver
12:00 to 1PM: Introductions – (Dina Bredahl and Carol Sodaro)
Students will learn about:
- View footage of actual introductions
- How to develop an introduction plan
- Necessary equipment for an introduction (including what safety equipment to have on hand/enrichment/food/escape routes)
- Progression of the introduction – behavior of compatible animals and what to do when an introduction does not go well.
1:00 to 2PM: Lunch
Students will learn about:
- Consuming food
2:00 to 2:45PM: Orangutan Nutrition and Body Condition – (Deb Schmidt)
Students will learn about:
- Understand natural history of wild orangutan diets and orangutan metabolism
- Identify key resources for determining appropriate nutritional requirements
- Determination of proper body condition
- Strategies for weight loss, gain and food enrichment
2:45 to 3PM: BREAK
3 to 4:15PM: Veterinary Overview – (Joe Smith, DVM)
Students will learn about:
- Know what the biggest health concerns for orangutans are
- Understand how common infectious diseases are transmitted and what steps can be taken to minimize/prevent transmission
- Caregiver health
4:15 to 5:40 Training - (Dina Bredahl, Cindy Cossaboon, Erin Jones and Lynn Yakubinis)
Students will learn about:
- How to write a shaping plan
- Understand importance of separation and shift training
- Learn about advanced training techniques (medical and maternal skills training)
- Training team dynamics
5:45 to 6:00PM: Wrap up/give out link for feedback survey
6:00 to 8:00: Dinner, Graduation and Orangutan Jeopardy
- Students will learn how to celebrate, pick up their exhausted instructors off the floor and receive their diplomas