ASCI 297: Elephant Care, Handling, and Management
Summer 2014
Course Objective: This is a hybrid online/travel study course to introduce and expand student’s knowledge
and experience in all facets of the care, handling, and management of the Asian elephant.
Faculty:
Dr. Betsy Greene
Terrill 204
Phone: 802- 656-2108
betsy.greene@uvm.edu
Center for Elephant Conservancy Faculty (CEC):
Dr. Dennis Schmitt, Ringling Bros., Missouri State University
Dr. Wendy Kiso, Ringling Bros.
Janice Aria, Ringling Bros.
Trudy Williams, Ringling Bros.
Required Text: Elephant Husbandry Resource Guide
Video: The Ultimate Guide to Elephants
Course Requirements: This course has a limit of 10 students per course offering, and students must have
completed their sophomore year by the beginning of the on-site portion of the course. Admission will be by
instructor permission only.
There will be a required applicant essay (due by February 15, 2014) and mandatory attendance at two to three
preplanning meetings throughout the Spring 2014 Semester. Also, there will be a non-refundable course fee
deposit of $500 due to Continuing and Distance Education as soon as the student is selected.
Accepted students will need proof of a negative TB test to participate. The TB test is required to protect the elephants
from TB being brought on site through human contact. The required test is a skin test.
Class: June 1-8, 2014 at Center for Elephant Conservation (Polk County, FL) with pre and post course
assignments.
Schedule:
May 19-30: Online course study sections and assignments.
June 1: Students Arrive at Orlando, FL (MCO) before 3:00 pm EST
Dinner with CEC Faculty, Introduction to CEC, Expectation, Rules, Regulations, Code of Conduct, etc.
June 2-7:
Proposed daily schedule:
8:00- 10:00
10:00-12:00
1:00 - 3:00
diet preparation, harvest and deliver browse roughage, and
associated barn cleaning,
lecture/lab
lecture/lab
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3:00 – 5:00
Elephant care (e.g. scrubbing elephants), observation of and
lessons in elephant handling, preparation/delivery of evening diet
June 8: Morning Session and Wrap up Lunch. Travel Home (Afternoon of 8th or morning of 9th).
June 9-21: Finish project, research, and paper assignments through online mechanisms.
Lecture Topics:
Lecture topics may include, but not be limited to: Asian elephant natural history, Asian elephant conservation
practices, Elephant anatomy and physiology, basic reproductive physiology, Training Theory and Methods
(protected vs. non-protected contact), Animal Rights and Animal Welfare issues, Uses and practices in
elephant management in Zoos and Circuses, Foot Anatomy and Care, the Animal Welfare Act and regulation
compliance, Import/Export restrictions, Ivory in the USA, Elephant Conflict Mitigation in Africa (theory and
practice).
Here are some of session that are being planned as part of this course (please note this information is subject to
change)–
Introduction to Basic Elephant Handling;
Elephant Animal Husbandry Theory and Practice;
Use of Barn and Training/Handling Tools: Trudy Williams and Jeff Leiss
Basic Training Theory;
Natural History of the Asian Elephant;
Circus History;
Regulations Involving Traveling Animals;
Animal Activism as it Relates to Performing Animals: Janice Aria
Practicing as a Circus Veterinarian: Dr Danielle Graham
Elephant Diseases: Dr. Ramiro Isazo
Safety Around Elephants: Dr Bill Lindsey
Differentiating Between Normal and Abnormal By Evaluating Elephant Behavior and Fecal Composition:
Dr Ellen Wiedner
Conservation of the Asian Elephant:
Kirk McCoy
Elephant Reproductive Physiology:
Dr Dennis Schmitt
Elephant Reproductive and Artificial Insemination Techniques:
Dr Wendy Kiso
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Laboratory Topics:
Students will be exposed current research projects and practices going on at CEC, as well as reproduction
techniques such as ultra sound procedures, semen collection, semen analysis and reproductive monitoring.
Possible mini-research projects:
As a part of the course, students will have the expectation and opportunity to participate in research and
outreach activities through planned mini-projects. These may encompass a growth study in the on-site calves
to document growth rates and other characteristics, and/or observing and assisting in freezing for shipment
and thawing/preparation of frozen semen for Artificial Insemination. Other projects may include
observations and documentation of elephant actions/interactions with their peers and their environment for
behavioral study, and evaluation creating a “day in the life” educational video on elephant care, management,
and behavior.
Field Trip:
Students will travel to the Ringling Circus Museum in Sarasota, FL in the second half of the week, to learn
about the history of the Circus and the elephants’ role through the years.
Additional Information
Cell Phones/Cameras: Because of the unique nature of this opportunity for UVM students, the use of any cell
phone, camera, or communication device during the on-site portion of this course will result in immediate
dismissal from course and an immediate return trip home at the expense of the student.
Dress Code: (to be determined by CEC personnel)
Housing: Students will be housed in permanent RV’s at a site near CEC. These trailers have full housing,
kitchen, bathroom/shower facilities. Transportation to and from CEC will be provided by a rental van
Alcohol/Drug Use: While students are participating in the on-site portion of the course, there is a strict policy
against alcohol and other drug use. Violation will result in immediate dismissal.
________________________________________________________________________
ACADEMIC HONESTY
Academic integrity is an essential part of learning at UVM. Students are expected to conduct themselves in an
ethical manner while at the University and abide by the Code of Academic Integrity. Offenses against the
Code of Academic Integrity are deemed serious and insult the integrity of the entire academic community.
Any suspected violations of the Code will not be tolerated and all allegations will be forwarded to the Center
for Student Ethics & Standards. For a copy of the Code of Academic Integrity contact the Center for Student
Ethics & Standards or go to http://www.uvm.edu/cses/
______________________________________________________________________________
Academic Help:
 ACCESS: http://www.uvm.edu/access/
 Writing Center: http://www.uvm.edu/wid/writingcenter/
 Learning Co-op: http://www.uvm.edu/learnco/
 Supplemental study sessions: http://www.uvm.edu/learnco/?Page=schedule/sischedule.html
 Career Services: http://www.uvm.edu/~career/
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Subject to Change Notice:
The class schedule of this syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.
***NOTE: The teaching and curricular materials in this course (including, but not limited to, classroom lectures,
notes, exams, handouts and presentations) are the property of the professor. Therefore, transmission of class
materials to a third party is strictly prohibited without the express written permission of the professor.
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