Embedded Files
AZA Policy for Ambassador Animals
and Animal Contact with the General Public
Program Goals and Objective
Goals
Provide an opportunity for Zoo visitors to have a meaningful educational experience with live animals.
Educate the public about wildlife.
Promote conservation and environmental stewardship messages and the role of zoos in conservation.
Promote a better understanding and appreciation for nature and animals.
Influence attitudes and preconceptions about animals.
Objective
To handle and present animals for educational purposes while ensuring the safety of animals, presenters and the public.
Program Requirements
ACT members must be signed off on an animal before handling it for the public.
Certified ACT members are required to spend a minimum of 15 minutes per month per animal handling animals and 1 day per month (or 12 times a year) providing animal care.
ACT members who do not meet these requirements will be required to attend additional training or may be removed from the program.
General Policies
Staff, interns and certified ACT members are the only people allowed to handle animals. ACT trainees may handle animals under the supervision of education staff.
The Zoo’s education program animals serve as ambassadors for their species and all wildlife and should be presented as such. ACT members are encouraged to explain that they are trained to handle these animals and the animals are not considered pets.
Anthropomorphism (giving human traits or emotions to animals) must be avoided. Please do not use baby talk and NEVER kiss any animals. Do not pet the animals while giving a program or anytime you are in public.
New animals can only be approved for use in the ACT program by education staff. Staff will notify members when an animal is available for programs. ACT members are required to complete supplemental training before handling any newly acquired and approved animals.
The only animals used in Zoo programs are Zoo education program animals. Personal pets are not allowed in the ACT program.
ACT members should look professional when representing the Zoo for any program. Docents must wear their name badge and refrain from smoking, eating, drinking and using cell phones during programs.
Animal Handling Safety Procedures
Safety Procedures
Wash your hands before and after handling an animal.
Wear as little jewelry and perfume/cologne as possible.
Do not tend to personal pets in your docent uniform in order to avoid possible transmission of diseases.
Learn about each animal’s behavior. If an animal behaves abnormally before or during a program, immediately return it to its holding or carrier and do not use it in the program.
Check with staff for updates about each animal. Never handle an animal that is ill or marked do not handle.
Hazardous materials such as glass, staples, pens, etc. must be kept away from animals.
Emergency Procedures
In case of an accident, it is important to remain calm.
If an accident involves an animal, return the animal to its holding immediately and report the incident to either the Education Curator or the Education Technician. If education staff is not at the Zoo, report the incident to a zookeeper.
If an accident involves a member of the public, administer the appropriate first aid. Only administer first aid that you are trained for. You are only allowed to offer topical medications, no oral medications. Report the incident immediately to the Education Curator or the Education Technician if available or another member of the Zoo staff.
If you are bitten by an animal, do not drop the animal. Continue to hold the animal in a position where it cannot bite for a short period of time, then return it to its holding. This will avoid reinforcing negative behaviors. You MUST immediately report the bite to the Education Curator or Education Technician!
If an animal escapes, attempt to retrieve it immediately. If you cannot retrieve the animal, contact an education staff member or zookeeper immediately. Report the incident to the Education Curator or the Education Technician.
Policy for Animal Contact with the
General Public
The Zoo allows the public to touch certain education program animals as part of education programs.
CAT members and the general public must follow these guidelines regarding contact with animals.
The public is not allowed to touch any of the education animals, they must always keep a respectable distance.
Visitors may not reach into any carrier, cage, or tank to touch an animal.
Always remain in control of an animal. Never put an unauthorized animal on the ground or allow a member of the public to hold an animal.
Be respectful of the animal and aware of its stress level. If an animal begins to behave abnormally, do not continue to let the public touch it.
Control the crowd and do not let them gather around you. It is very important that you are in control of the situation at all times.
Do not force an animal on anyone. If a member of the public does not want to touch an animal, be respectful.
Zoonosis Video from
Dr. Tameeka Williams DVM
Zoonosis 2021 (3).MTSPage updated
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