Docent Manual
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2018 Docent Manual Suzi Fontaine, Education Curator Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum 7/24/2018 Table of Contents Docent Information ....................................................................................................................................................... 2 Dress Code................................................................................................................................................................. 9 Feeding and Cleaning Procedures ........................................................................................................................... 10 Docent Self-Evaluation ............................................................................................................................................ 16 Mission Statement .................................................................................................................................................. 21 Education Program Evaluation Form ...................................................................................................................... 22 Education Master Plan ............................................................................................................................................ 23 Animal Diets ............................................................................................................................................................ 25 Mammals ..................................................................................................................................................................... 27 Birds ............................................................................................................................................................................. 48 Reptiles & Amphibians ................................................................................................................................................ 63 Invertebrates ............................................................................................................................................................... 76 Animal Handling Policies and Procedures ................................................................................................................... 81 Handling Birds of Prey ............................................................................................................................................. 83 Reptile and Arachnid Handling ................................................................................................................................ 86 Zoonosis ....................................................................................................................................................................... 88 Emergency Procedures ................................................................................................................................................ 96 Montgomery Zoo Employee List ................................................................................................................................ 114 History of the Montgomery Zoo ................................................................................................................................ 119 Locations of Animals in the Zoo ................................................................................................................................. 121 Endangered and Threatened Species ........................................................................................................................ 122 Endangered Species at the Montgomery Zoo Fact Sheets .................................................................................... 125 No Public Feeding Policy ............................................................................................................................................ 137 History of Zoos ........................................................................................................................................................... 138 The Role of Zoos in Endangered Species Conservation ............................................................................................. 140 Ecology ....................................................................................................................................................................... 149 Taxonomy .................................................................................................................................................................. 154 Reptiles, Amphibians, & Fish ................................................................................................................................. 160 Birds ...................................................................................................................................................................... 178 Mammals ............................................................................................................................................................... 183 Invertebrates ......................................................................................................................................................... 189 Glossary ..................................................................................................................................................................... 194 Frequently Used Abbreviations ............................................................................................................................. 195 Zoo Vocabulary List ............................................................................................................................................... 201 1 Docent Information 2 What is a Docent? “Docents are on the cutting edge of conversation, in educating people about the beauty and intrinsic value of all kinds of animal life. What a job, to cajole people into kinship with instead of dominance over nature.” (Taken from the Association of Zoo and Aquarium Docents, 1966 conference proceedings) Volunteers are a Special Breed Are you the type of person that spends a great deal of time doing for others and asking for nothing in return? Do you have some extra time on your hands that you would like to fill with fun and exciting activities while learning about wildlife? If the answer is yes, then you would make a wonderful volunteer at the zoo. Volunteers are a special breed because they don’t work for a monetary reward, but receive something of greater value to them. They get satisfaction in the completion of a well done project. They get contentment knowing they have helped someone. They get a feeling of self-worth just knowing that they are needed. Not only does the education department of the zoo need you; the animals at the zoo need you too. The cheetahs need you to spread the word about their dwindling populations in the wild. The macaws need you to inform the public about the destruction of their Rainforest habitat. The snakes, both venomous and nonvenomous, need you to dispel the many misconceptions that people have about them. All the animals need you to educate the public on how important it is to respect all species and to preserve the diversity of life. The animals at the zoo need a voice… your voice. How can you make a difference? Easy. At the Montgomery Zoo you will learn how zoos are involved in wildlife conservation through an exciting training course designed especially for education volunteers. You will learn about the many different animal species that live at the zoo, and their status in the wild, whether it be stable, threatened, or endangered. You can learn about different animal behaviors and adaptations of animals that help them to survive in the wild. Then you can take what you have learned and give that knowledge to a child, or excite a zoo visitor by pointing out a baby Siamang in an exhibit that they would have otherwise missed. There is so much that an education volunteer can become involved in at the zoo. From creating educational bulletin boards and discovery tables, participating in summer workshops for children, or training the education animals for programs. The greater your creativity and dedication, the more opportunities will become available to you. Volunteers are important in making the visitor’s time at the zoo special by answering questions when a zoo employee may not be available. Volunteers can provide the extra information 3 about the animals to make the visitor’s experience at the zoo more interesting. You have a fun and exciting time ahead of you as a Docent at the Montgomery Zoo. Happy docenting! Education Volunteer Information Requirements of Docents/Zooteens of the Montgomery Zoo: 1. Docents must be 18 years or older, Zooteens must be between the ages of 13-17. 2. Fill out an application, go through the interview process and be accepted into the program. 3. Complete the training course. 4. Pay a fee of $13 for red uniform shirt. 5. Purchase your own uniform which will consist of khaki shorts, pants, or skirt. NO JEANS ARE ALLOWED! You may also purchase a feeding/cleaning shirt for non-program days. Official uniform must be worn for programs or taking animals into the zoo. You will need to have your name embroidered on your red shirt. In Montgomery, embroidery can be done by Southern Threadworks at 5979 Monticello Drive Embroidery font is century medium 6. Complete the required on the job training