MARYLAND WILDERNE ANIMAL EMBASSY Revised March 2017 Animal Department
BIOSECURITY Animal Ambassadrs travel ff-site, s they must be hused separately frm the main cllectin and kept in a mdified quarantine setting. This is t prtect the main Z cllectin frm disease and parasites. Handlers may nt wear street shes in any behind the scenes animal areas at the Z. Always wear designated z shes in the Embassy, Penguin Encunters, and Mews. Use the bleach ftbath when leaving these areas after yur handling shift. Z shes must be left n Z grunds (in the Keeper Trailer, the strage bin utside the Embassy, r the strage bin behind the Mansin Huse). If yu d nt want t keep a pair f shes at the Z, yu may wear the rubber bts prvided at the Embassy and Penguin Encunters in thse areas. If yu are cleaning up feces yu must ensure that yu d nt cme int cntact with any fecal matter, either by wearing glves r using a paper twel. TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION Animal handler training invlves multiple departments and is crdinated by the Assistant General Curatr. Embassy Staff, Educatin Department Managers and Vlunteer staff assist with training and evaluating handlers. Jining the handler prgram Vlunteers are invited t attend training by Vlunteer Department staff. Instructrs will crdinate their training thrugh their manager. Prspective handlers must attend a presentatin and interpretatin class befre they start handling. Handling is brken dwn int mdules and training is ffered every ther mnth. Handlers must cmplete ne mdule befre signing up fr anther ne (exceptin: instructrs may be allwed t sign up fr cncurrent mdules). A full breakdwn f the mdules and prerequisites is attached. Handling Overview Animal Ambassadrs must be treated with respect and handling guidelines must be fllwed at all times. Prgram animals are ambassadrs fr their species and must be treated with respect n matter hw tractable they seem. They are part f the Z cllectin and are nt pets. Never talk t them in a baby vice, be careful nt t anthrpmrphize their behavirs inapprpriately, and d nt cuddle them in public Handlers may nt handle, feed r tuch any animals they are nt trained t handle except with permissin frm a manager Handlers can nly use apprved fd items fr the animals and these shuld nly be given in limited quantities If yu ntice signs f distress, illness r injury return the animal t its carrier and reprt this t Embassy staff immediately - the mre familiar yu are with the animals and the mre yu knw abut each species the easier it will be fr yu t recgnize abnrmal behavir Never relinquish cntrl f an animal t any untrained persn: n ccasin fr media appearances r a behind the scenes tur an Animal Department manager may permit smene t hld r feed an Animal Ambassadr, but this is dne nly with the mst tractable animals in very cntrlled situatins and is nt allwed by keepers, instructrs r vlunteers If the animal urinates r defecates n yu during a presentatin d nt drp the animal - cntinue the presentatin and clean up after yu return the animal t its carrier If yu are bitten r scratched remain calm and return the animal t its carrier: if yu panic yu will frighten the animal and this may lead t aggressin (see the Animal Presentatins sectin fr infrmatin abut first aid and treatment) 1
T maintain prper hygiene handlers must wash their hands after a handling sessin and are reminded nt t tuch their faces while handling animals T maintain prper bisecurity handlers must wash their hands after handling animals frm the fllwing grups: aquatic turtles, trtises, squamata/crcdilians (ne grup), mammals/birds (ne grup), invertebrates, and amphibians Maintaining Certificatin Animal handling requires patience and practice. Familiarity with the animals prmtes safe handling, reduces stress fr the animal, and allws the handler t evaluate the animal apprpriately. The Prgram Animal Guidelines are updated annually and sent t all handlers. Handlers are evaluated rutinely t assess their handling cmpetence and public interactin. Vlunteer handlers must cmplete tw shifts per mnth t stay eligible fr animal handling. This can include shifts n grunds, at events, r n utreach prgrams (but nt practice sessins). If yu cannt make a shift ntify the Vlunteer Office. Vlunteer staff will ntify the Embassy. Incidents and Disciplinary Prcedures All incidents must be reprted t Embassy staff immediately. An incident is any injury t an animal, guest r handler, r any mishandling f an animal (including drpping a carrier, drpping an animal, putting an animal in the wrng enclsure, etc.). Even if an animal is nt bviusly injured Embassy staff must be ntified s a qualified persn can assess the situatin. The Assisstant General Curatr will investigate any incident and reprt the findings t the General Curatr. If there is handler miscnduct they will make a recmmendatin t the handler s supervisr, up t and including suspensin r lss f handling privileges. Basic Handling Techniques Invertebrates: hissing cckraches can be held n an utstretched palm r in an islet, scrpins are presented in an islet until they are larger Amphibians: frgs are presented in an islet; larger amphibians can be held, but are easier t present in an islet (always take a bttle f dechlrinated water when traveling with amphibians and keep them well misted) Lizards: gently grasp the lizard frm abve and curl yur fingers arund the bdy while yur ther hand supprts the tail (never pick a geck up by its tail); sme lizards may require a glve fr handling (e.g. skinks) Trtises: hld larger trtises with bth hands; small trtises can be held n an utstretched palm and secured with the fingers Aquatic turtles: terrapins have sharp nails - t avid being scratched pick them up frm behind and hld securely since they are strng and active Snakes: make the snake aware f yur presence befre yu attempt t mve it (snakes have pr eyesight and may strike if startled)hld the snake near the head with ne hand and supprt the entire bdy with yur ther arm and hand never drape a snake arund yur neck! The warmth f yur hands will awaken the snake and make it mre alert. Allw the snake t mve as yu hld it; hlding it tightly will make it restless. Remain calm and the snake will remain calm t. Snakes are ff use while they are shedding and the day after they have eaten. Small Mammals: Always let the animal knw when yu are abut t reach int its carrier. Talk t it as yu apprach and use slw, deliberate mvements. Each mammal has specific handling requirements, but 2
always hld with tw hands and t supprt the entire bdy. D nt pick a mammal up by its tail unless instructed t d s. Small mammals will bite when they are frightened mve calmly and hld them securely, but nt s tightly that they struggle! Large rabbits are picked up by staff nly unless they are very tractable. Sme animals may require glves fr handling. Kinkaju: Has a limited grup f staff handlers fr cnsistency in training and safety. Can becme defensive and bite if restrained, s she is nt typically held during presentatins. She is trained t cme ut f her crate nt a table. Birds: Always let a bird knw when yu are abut t reach int its carrier. Talk t it as yu apprach and use slw, deliberate mvements. Birds with anklets must be jessed, swiveled and leashed whenever handled. These birds are flighted and may nt survive if they escape. Parrts are held n the hand r frearm, but never allwed t climb abve the elbw. Ravens and hawks have a limited number f handlers, nly a few f whm are trained t crate them. Animal Use Observe all D Nt Use and Off Use signs; these animals may be under medical care fr serius health prblems r be reserved fr a specific event. Animals are nt handled cntinuusly fr mre than tw hurs per day except fr certain scheduled appearances. Mst f the mammals and the penguins have shrter tlerances fr being held and may need a break after 30 t 45 minutes. If an animal shws signs f stress during a handling sessin (e.g. restlessness, nippiness) it shuld be returned t its crate fr a fifteen minute break befre handling is resumed. Handlers ging ut alne, either n r ff grunds, shuld nt take mre than three animals with them. Packing and Transprting Animals Each animal has specific transprt requirements listed n its cage label. Animals may injure themselves r escape if nt packed prperly, s pay clse attentin when packing yur animals and always fllw the guidelines! Animals must always be in a carrier during transit (including n a glf cart). N ne ther than Z staff and vlunteers shuld handle and mve carriers. In general n ne shuld mve a carrier cntaining an animal they d nt handle unless asked t d s (utreach vlunteers are given specific training t help mve carriers). Secure carriers t prevent tipping and sliding during transprt. Use bungees and chcks as needed. Place carriers in the vehicle s animals d nt cme int physical cntact with ne anther and d nt have a direct line f sight t ne anther. Crates shuld face frwards r sideways. D nt leave carriers unattended unless they are in a secure lcatin. D nt stack carriers. If it is unavidable t mve carriers withut stacking them (e.g. fr high prfile events where a number f animals need t be mved a lng way frm the vehicle) a keeper r instructr may give permissin t stack crates and give prper directin n hw t stack and stabilize them. Temperature Guidelines Temperature guidelines are listed in the buildings and temperatures are taken int accunt when animals are scheduled each week. If it is abve 90 r belw 65 (belw 50 fr cld hardy animals like raptrs, ducks, and 3
rabbits) handlers shuld relcate frm Creature Encunters t Chimp Frest r the Penguin Educatin Center. The area manager may make exceptins e.g. fr a particular event r animal appearance. Signs f heat stress include excessive mvement r struggling (mammals), limpness (amphibians and reptiles), panting (birds), refusal t cmplete rutine trained behavirs. Mve the animal t a cler envirnment and cntact Embassy staff. On ht days dn t leave carriers in the sun even when they are empty. Heat sensitive species include penguins, rabbits, chinchillas, and amphibians. Heat tlerant species include trpical birds, native birds, reptiles, and raches. Symptms f cld stress include shivering r apathy (birds and mammals), stiffness (reptiles). Mve the animal t a warmer envirnment and cntact the Embassy. If it is belw freezing, snwing r icy animals can nly leave the Embassy with permissin frm a manager. Cld tlerant species include rabbits, chinchillas, penguins, native birds, serval and raches. Cld sensitive species include trpical birds and mammals, and herps. Trpical birds and mammals can be transprted n the glf cart abve 50F. Between 35 and 60F herps can be transprted n the glf cart if they are inside a cler with a crypak (heat pack). Keepers check the frecast at the start f the day and ntify the vlunteer ffice if shifts are canceled (i.e. if temperatures will be 35F r belw at the start f the shift). Vlunteer ffice staff ntify handlers f any changes. Presentatins On arrival at the Embassy check the animal schedule t make sure it has nt been adjusted. Remember t sign yur animal ut befre the start f yur shift. Check with keepers befre taking a glf cart. Unifrm Wear yur Z staff r vlunteer unifrm with clsed-te shes. Avid dangling jewelry; watches and bracelets are nt recmmended. Clgne, perfume and scented ltins shuld als be avided. Sunscreen is acceptable, but handlers may nt wear insect repellent as it can be harmful t sme f the animal ambassadrs. D nt wear a nametag arund yur neck r attached t yur shirt while handling: animals may chew n them r becme entangled with them. It is acceptable t wear yur name tag attached t yur belt lp. Sunglasses are acceptable n a bright, sunny day, but keep in mind that the lack f eye cntact des affect hw yu interact with visitrs, s they are best avided if pssible. Hats are a gd alternative. D nt rll the shrt sleeves up t yur shulder t avid a funny tan! This lks unprfessinal and is nt acceptable. Umbrellas are scary fr sme animals and may nt be used by handlers. Site Requirements At infrmal presentatins keep a wall r ther barrier behind yu s yu are nt surrunded by peple. A 4-5 ft buffer zne is a gd safety precautin (see sectin n animal cntact fr mre infrmatin abut allwing public 4
tuching f animals). Keep carriers away frm the public and d nt allw anyne t apprach the animals while they are in their carriers as this can be frightening fr them. In sme cases yu may need t sit dwn with the animal. When sitting yu shuld still maintain the buffer zne and keep guests n three sides s yu are nt surrunded. Keep in mind that the animal may react differently when yu are seated, especially if the audience is standing. If the animal becmes restless r anxius yu may need t change yur psitin r give the animal a break in its carrier. Sitting at crwded events is nt generally acceptable since it creates a ptentially stressful situatin fr the animal. D nt allw anyne t smke arund the animals. Sme animals are very sensitive t secnd hand smke. Keep the animals away frm areas where fd and drinks are being served. On Grunds Presentatins Animal utpsts are lcated at Creature Encunters, Eagle Gate, the Tundra Buggy (winter), Chimp Frest (winter), and the Penguin Educatin Center (winter). Fr events animals may ccasinally be scheduled in frnt f the Giraffe Huse, at Giraffe Feeding Statin, Oasis, the Mansin Huse, Waterfwl Lake, and African Watering Hle Overlk. At sme f these lcatins nly lw escape risk animals can be scheduled. Keep crates and persnal items ut f the public view if pssible. At the end f the shift clean up feces and leave the area ready fr the next handler. If yu have an animal yu need t have a z-wide radi (with yu and turned n s yu can hear radi transmissins!). Fr safety reasns yu shuld never use earphnes/mp3 players. Handlers are nt allwed t use cell phnes while handling animals. If yu are cncerned abut an animal call the Embassy immediately. Fr handlers first aid kits are lcated at Creature Encunters and the Embassy; any injury a handler sustains must be reprted t the Area Manager even if it is minr. If the injury requires further treatment the Area Manager will cntact the handler s supervisr and the handler may be referred t an utpatient center. Guest injuries must be reprted t Security (t take a reprt and dispense treatment if needed) and t the Area Manager. If an animal escapes n grunds cntact Embassy staff immediately and try t keep the animal in view until help arrives. It is best t check with the Embassy befre trying t recapture the animal. Smetimes trying t grab a lse animal (especially a nervus bird r mammal) can cause it t flee further away and cmplicate the situatin. Only the serval requires a Cde Alpha. Service Animal Plicy Service animals are allwed n Z grunds, but are nt allwed in animal cntact areas. If smene appraches yu with a service animal while yu have an animal simply tell them that they need t keep their distance fr safety reasns (this includes at Creature Encunters). The Z s plicy requires a 20 ft buffer zne. 5
Off Grunds Presentatins When yu are traveling t a prgram r event make sure yu take all necessary equipment with yu (glves, sticks, fd, water etc.). All vans have first aid kits (fr peple and animals), recapture equipment and cntact numbers. N ther animals shuld be present at yur presentatin, but if yu arrive at the site t find an animal (e.g. a trtise in a classrm, r smene walking a dg) yu may prceed with the prgram prvided the ther animals are prperly cntained, yu keep as much physical distance frm them as pssible, and n tuching is permitted during yur presentatin. Birds are the biggest cncern fr disease transmissin. If yu are cncerned abut an animal, r an animal is injured, cntact Embassy staff immediately. Zmbile vans have animal first aid kits with styptic pwder, gauze, vet wrap, water bttles, cld packs, and heat blankets. Depending n the animal and the nature f the injury Embassy staff will advise yu n whether r nt t administer treatment until the animal is returned t the Z. If yu are a lng way frm the Z smene may be able t meet yu r yu may be sent t a lcal veterinarian. First aid kits fr handlers are lcated in the vans; any injury frm an animal must be reprted t the Embassy Area Manager (even if it is minr). If a guest is injured during a presentatin ff grunds the handler must take a reprt (a basic descriptin f the incident and all relevant cntact infrmatin). This infrmatin must be cmmunicated t the Safety Officer, the handler s Manager and the Embassy Area Manager n return t the Z. If an animal escapes ff grunds and yu are indrs make sure the area is secure and use the recapture equipment in the van. It may be necessary t ask the audience t leave the area have a Z persn mnitr the dr while a secnd persn watches the animal. If yu cannt recapture the animal easily cntact the Embassy Area Manager fr advice and assistance. If yu are utside try t keep the animal in sight and cntact the Embassy Area Manager immediately fr advice and assistance remember that trying t grab a lse animal (especially a nervus bird r mammal) can cause it t flee further away and cmplicate the situatin. Hspital Visits Hspital visits must be apprved by the Z medical staff. Because f the high prprtin f immuncmprmised individuals that may make up the audience at these venues, hygiene is f the utmst imprtance. Animals shuld nt rest n any hspital surface and handlers must disinfect their hands after handling any animal. Lw risk, event with cntact: tenrecs, chinchillas, cckraches. Lw risk, n cntact allwed: reptiles, amphibians, ther invertebrates. High risk, nt recmmended: all birds, any mammals nt mentined. Guest-Animal Cntact Guests are nly allwed t cntact with certain animals. Cntact is always at the discretin f the handler if the audience is t large r unruly r the animal is shwing signs f stress (restlessness, biting, etc.) the handler must return it t its carrier. Anyne tuching an animal must wash their hands after the encunter (preferred) r use hand sanitizer if n hand washing statin is available. Animal Handling Prblems 6
If yu have questins during yur initial training perid ask yur trainer. Once yu are certified, any prblems with handling shuld be reprted t the Animal Embassy Area Manager. D nt try t slve handling prblems yurself: this may lead t greater prblems in the lng term. Never deviate frm the handling guidelines withut talking t the Area Manager. Handlers shuld never use handling equipment with an animal unless it is part f their nrmal handling rutine. Fr example, using a stick with ne parrt may be standard practice, but fr anther parrt it culd be a strng aversive: using it with the wrng bird culd prvke an aggressive respnse r cause the animal t injure itself. Anther example is dealing with a biting penguin. If yu put n a glve it might give yu sme prtectin, but it will cause fear-biting and escalate the situatin. The crrect curse f actin wuld be t put the animal away and talk t the Area Manager abut pssible slutins. Tracking Animal Use A spreadsheet is maintained t track animal use and handler cmpliance. There are tw entries that yu will need t make each time yu are animal handling. Animals must be signed ut n the spreadsheet (t track where and hw they are being handled). Handlers must als indicate with an X in the apprpriate clumn that they have handled an animal (this helps us t ensure everyne is up t date n their handling requirements). 7