While the world waited out the worst of COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, we were frantically working (at home) to rebuild dozens of Academy courses that previously required Flash—because as of January 1 this year, internet browsers no longer support that format or run those courses.

What does this mean for you? It means that if you have courses sitting in your “My Courses” queue that have been there since early 2020, you may get an error message when you try to load them. But never fear! There is a fix.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our November Safe Capture livestream training event, hosted by the Kansas State University Department of Veterinary Medicine. We’re so glad you could join us online!

This event drew enthusiastic KSU veterinary medicine students, as well other participants from around the US—including veterinarians, wildlife biologists, students, and other domestic/wildlife management specialists.

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

January 25–27, 2022 (3-day event): This event is being hosted by the SDZWA Academy, and is open to all participants.

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

California (Escondido): January 12–13, 2022: This event is being hosted by the SDZWA Academy at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and is open to all participants.

Georgia (Athens): February 26–27, 2022: This event is being hosted by the University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine, and is open to all participants.

California (Pomona):April 2–3, 2022: This event is being hosted by Western University of Health Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, and is open to all participants.

Virginia (Fredericksburg): June 14–15, 2022: This event is being hosted by the Virginia Animal Control Association, and is open to all participants.

For more information, or to register for these events, please visit our Safe Capture website.

By James F. Gesualdi

To keep ahead, each one of us, no matter what our task, must search for new and better methods—for even that which we now do well must be done better tomorrow.
—James F. Bell

Doing Good is a simple and universal vision. A vision to which each and every one of us can connect and contribute to its realization. A vision based on the belief that by doing good deeds, positive thinking, and affirmative choice of words, feelings, and actions, we can enhance goodness in the world.
—Shari Arison

Doing good for the animals we work on behalf of, and making animals’ lives better, is something every one of us can contribute toward in our own way. It is encouraging to report that several activities, groups, and situations are coming together to make animals’ lives better, and provide more opportunities to demonstrate the compassion and expertise to make that happen.

This holiday season, it is appropriate to acknowledge some thoughtful efforts to make animals’ lives better, namely those of the good folks on the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Animal Welfare Committee and the AZA Animal Welfare Vision and Strategy Task Force. The existence of these groups is testament to the importance of animal welfare. Support for their work and its success is vital to the future of zoological organizations, because it will make animals’ lives better.

All good.

Since this “Getting Better All the Time” column is dedicated to continuously improving ourselves, our organizations, the zoological community, animal protection and well-being, and our world, let’s gather together for the holidays and share our wish list for doing even more good and making animals’ lives better. So, here we go, giving the most thoughtful gifts imaginable—ideas whose time has come!

For more information about the Academy, please send us an email at SDZWAAcademySales@sdzwa.org.

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Academy Newsletters are archived at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Academy website.

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