By Greg Vicino, Vice President of Wildlife Care at the San Diego Zoo

The following article appeared in the January/February 2024 edition of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Journal. To read the article in its entirety, access it here and advance to pages 18–21.

As humans, we tend to assign a significant value to our experience, whether that be the skills that make us good at our professions and hobbies or the experiences we have that shape our worldview. As a concept, experience is quite easy to grasp, and it almost seems we are born with an innate understanding of its value throughout life.

If we take a broader look at the wildlife we share the world with, you start to notice how this applies directly to their lives as well.

By James F. Gesualdi

The “Getting Better All the Time” column commenced nine years ago this month. That makes this the 9th anniversary column, and the 81st installment for those who are counting. Milestones like this are worth noting so long as they are put to further good use. To stay authentic to this column’s good name, “Getting Better All the Time” requires never-ending growth and progress for animals and people, too.

The Academy’s Safe Capture program offers in-person, virtual, and e-learning training for the chemical immobilization and anesthesia of domestic and wildlife species. Learn more about Safe Capture training.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our February and March training events in Georgia, California, Washington, Missouri, and New York. These events drew enthusiastic participants from around the U.S., including veterinarians, wildlife biologists, students, and other domestic animal and wildlife management specialists. We are so glad you could join us!

Registration is now open for the following Academy Safe Capture livestream event:

June 25–27, 2024: This is a three-day online event, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (PT) on June 2526 and 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (PT) on June 27.

Registration is now open for the following Academy Safe Capture in-person events:

Florida (Miami): May 8–9, 2024: This event is being hosted by Zoo Miami and is open to all participants.

Vermont (Barre): May 21–22, 2024: This event is being hosted by the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife and is open to all participants.

Virginia (Fredericksburg): July 9–10, 2024: This event is being hosted by the Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy and is open to all participants.

CE credits approved by the following organizations:

For more information, or to register for these events, please visit the
Safe Capture Website.

Have a question about your learning account? Our learning partner, CypherWorx, has a very robust support hub where you can search for help! Visit the CypherWorx Support Hub.

If you need more specific help, you can also submit a help ticket through the support hub, or call 888-685-4440 to speak with a CypherWorx customer support representative.

For more information about the Academy, please send us an email at SDZWAAcademySales@sdzwa.org or visit our website sdzwaacademy.org.

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Individual, group, and institution rates are available. Please contact SDZWAAcademySales@sdzwa.org.