Online Training Modules for AZA's Animal Program Participants
The AZA's Conservation, Management, & Welfare Sciences Department has developed several online training modules for Animal Program Leaders, Institutional Representatives (IRs), Institutional Liaisons (ILs), collection planners, research scientists, and individuals interested in becoming involved in AZA's Animal Programs. The AZA's Population Management Center has put together online training modules to help Program Leaders manage their populations using PMCTrack. Please check back in the coming months for new modules!
SSP Sustainability Reports and Search Portal
AZA has developed the Sustainability Database, funded by the Institute for Museum and Library Services. This database uses a Search Portal to connect permitted users to SSP Sustainability Reports, which summarize husbandry and exhibit design as well as SSP population status and management priorities. Four tutorials are available for the wide array of users who will use the new tool:
General Tutorial This module provides an overview of the basics.
Collection Planning Tutorial This is a recorded live webinar discussing the search fields designed for institutional collection planners.
SSP Management Tutorial This live webinar recording identifies how Program Leaders, Institutional Representatives, and other Animal Program participants can use the reports to communicate about SSP priorities.
Research Tutorial This live webinar recording demonstrates the Research Opportunities search field for Scientific Advisory Group members, science-based working groups, individuals in AZA facility laboratories, and anyone else looking for research opportunities for SSP species.
Animal Program Population Management
Animal Program Web Resources This module will walk you through how to find the Animal Program Handbooks, Program Leader applications, the Program Leader Portal, the Animal Program Vacancies page, and the monthly Animal Programs Update.
How to Navigate the Animal Programs Database This module will walk you through the Animal Programs Database, and show you how to search for Animal Program pages and documents most efficiently. Also included in the video are the differences between being logged in and being logged out of the AZA website when navigating this database.
Sending and Receiving Studbooks from PopLink Studbook Keepers can use PopLink to track and maintain all the data relevant to an individual species within zoos. Population biologists can use PopLink to store analytical data, the version of the studbook used in the genetic and demographic analyses that management decisions are based on. To learn more about the PopLink software, visit the Population Management Center's website.
Using MateRx A MateRx is a matrix of genetic ratings for every possible breeding pair in a population which allow managers to quickly discover how the genetic status of animals in their collections compare to the rest of a managed population. This module will help you understand the process of obtaining a MateRx plan for your Animal Program and making management decisions.
TAG SMAART Goals Narrated Tutorial Each TAG must develop population management-related “SMAART” goals (specific, measurable, achievable, agreed-upon, relevant, and timely) for each of their SSPs. This narrated PowerPoint tutorial walks through how to apply the SMAART criteria to advance sustainability and track accountability and progress of SSPs. (You may get a “codec unavailable” message if you do not have Microsoft Office 2016 and the audio will not play. However, the narration is also captured in the speaker notes area of each slide, and the script may be found there.)
Getting More Involved
How to be an Institutional Representative (IR) This module will walk you through how to find the Animal Program Handbooks, where you will find more details about Institutional Liaisons (ILs) and Institutional Representatives (IRs). Then the video will discuss in detail about how to find documents through the AZA website, where to find a PDF guide to help you navigate the Animal Programs Database, the Animal Programs Sustainability Designations, and the Animal Programs monthly update.
How to be an Institutional Liaison (IL) This module will walk you through where to find the Animal Program Handbooks where you will find more details about ILs and IRs. Then the video will discuss how to manage your Institution’s Institutional Representative (or IR) list, including downloading your IR list, removing an IR from a Program and designating a new IR. The video also shows you where to find a PDF guide to help you navigate the Animal Programs Database and IR lists, and where to find the Animal Programs Sustainability Designations.
How to Get Involved in AZA's Animal Programs This module will walk you through all of the web resources and first steps to becoming involved in AZA’s Animal Programs. Today I will show you how to find the Animal Program Handbooks, Program Leader applications, the Animal Program Vacancies page, the Program Leader Portal, and how to navigate our search Animal Programs Database.
Population Management Center PMCTrack
PMCTrack for SSP Coordinators - Overview This module will teach SSP Coordinators how to use PMCTrack’s reports and their dashboard to better manage their SSP.
PMCTrack for Institutional Liaisons - Overview Institutional Liaisons (ILs) can watch this online module to understand how to navigate PMCTrack’s reports and their dashboard to better understand their facility’s involvement and accountability within in the SSP system.
PMCTrack for TAG Chairs/APM Liaisons - Overview TAG Chairs and Animal Program Management Committee Liaisons can watch this online module to understand how to navigate PMCTrack’s reports and their dashboard to better understand the planning deadlines, recommendation outcomes, and survey usage for SSPs within their TAG.