Nutrition Advisory Group
 

Background
Required of Candidate
Required Training by the Institution
Funds Justification
Ideal 3-year Program
Institutional Requirements for Application
Institutional Application

 BACKGROUND: 14 November 2002; The Chicago Zoological Society, with the Nutrition Advisory Group of the Association Zoo and Aquariums, is establishing the Susan D. Crissey Zoo Nutritionist Training Fund. The fund has been set up to acknowledge and honor the significant impact that Sue has had on the field of zoo nutrition during her 15 years at Brookfield Zoo.  During that time, Sue expanded our nutrition program from one of diet purchase and preparation to a program of cutting-edge research and problem-solving. She led the development of the institutional coalition called the Zoo Nutrition Network.  Sue and her staff have been active in publishing many papers, and she has worked to integrate zoo animal nutrition research with nutritional studies of wild-living animals.  But perhaps most significantly, Sue has always been keenly interested in training, mentoring and engaging the next generation of zoo nutritionists.  The goal of the Fund is to support residencies in nutritional studies that will improve the welfare of animals in zoos and aquariums.  Brookfield Zoo and the Nutrition Advisory Group (NAG) will determine the recipients and arrange the residencies.  Contributions to the Fund are welcomed, and should be directed to the Chicago Zoological Society or Brookfield Zoo, with a notation on the check or in an accompanying letter of transfer that the gift is to the Susan D. Crissey Fund.  Contributions will be acknowledged promptly, and a report will be sent to NAG at least annually. George B. Rabb

Sue was instrumental in the NAG as a founding member as well as chair.  Sue’s interest in training students matches well with the NAG’s mission to advance rational feeding programs for captive animals based on sound scientific principles.

 The NAG established a subcommittee to: 1.) specify requirements of a comprehensive resident program (and candidate), 2.) determine/provide an application and, 3.) set a panel with a Brookfield representative to review applications and select institutions.  Following is the description of the comprehensive program requirements.

REQUIRED OF THE CANDIDATE: Advanced degree in nutrition and/or physiology. On site zoo experience is preferred.  Candidate must have a professional commitment to become a zoo nutritionist.   

REQUIRED TRAINING BY THE INSTITUTION WITH THE RESIDENCY:  Must be able to provide the basic features of a comprehensive nutrition program.  Must be able and willing to work with others to fulfill the objectives outlined below.  Must provide difference in salary to match positions at the residing institution, benefits, and travel.

Title:                            Zoo Nutrition Resident

Objective:                   The Nutrition Residency provides education and training in all areas of responsibility for a professional zoo nutritionist. Upon completion of the residency, the candidate will be knowledgeable and able to perform competently as a zoo nutritionist.

Basic Functions:       By completion of the three year residency, the candidate will be able to manage a nutrition program at a zoo, including the following specific areas: diet formulation, commissary operations including product procurement, nutrition research, laboratory resources, supervision of staff, communication at all levels, work with/develop teams across departments, and information exchange.

Proficiency after three years – the following competencies are expected. The candidate should be able to:

1)   Formulate, monitor, and evaluate diets of all animals in the Zoo using the best information available on:

a) Natural feeding ecology
b) Requirements of model domestic animals
c) Probable exotic animal requirements
d) Animal intake data meeting biological requirements and providing for optimal animal health, well-being, and reproduction
e) Foods available
f) Husbandry considerations, including environmental enhancement
g) Application of data from physiological samples

2)   Plan and manage all aspects of commissary operations including setting product, nutrient, and manufacturing specifications, approving vendors, products, and purchases as well as writing, approving, and accepting bids and contracts to:

a) Provide high quality food and feed items for all collection animals
b) Procure these items at competitive prices
c) Provide items that have been properly stored and processed
d) Decrease food waste where possible
e) Provide correct diets in appropriate quantities
f) Test diet formulations for animal acceptability and conformation to specifications
g) Maintain proper quality control of food and feed items

3)      Increase knowledge of nutritional requirements of diverse animal species by designing and conducting studies, advising, publishing, and presenting papers on zoo nutrition research:

a) Develop research skills including problem solving, collecting and analyzing data
b) Utilize the animal collection for research
c) Understand and conduct, when appropriate, studies with model species
d) Learn application of field research by participating in field projects
e) Establish cooperative research projects

4)      Establish and critically review laboratory practices.

     a) Learn value and practical limits of setting up a laboratory
     b) Understand methods of laboratory analysis
     c) Perform analyses where possible
     d) Maintain quality control of procedures, validate work
     e) Identify and utilize offsite laboratory resources when necessary

5)      Plan for and manage department staff and resources

a) Schedule job assignments and provide training and development
b) Gain experience in managing staff and students
c) Develop and manage budgets

6) Build cooperative relationships/teams

a) Work with animal managers and keepers
b) Work with other disciplines within the zoo (veterinarians, behaviorists, researchers, curators)
c) Build relationships outside the zoo (local universities, hospitals, other professionals)

7) Represent the Zoo before other zoos, conservation societies, professional and educational organizations, and federal and state agencies to present the Zoo’s position on nutrition in a well-informed, positive, responsive manner.  

    a) Write articles and make presentations to those bodies as requested
    b) Actively pursue exchanges of information

 FUNDS JUSTIFICATION:

·        Postgraduate salary - $20,000/year for the first two years will be provided through the SCARF fund and the host facility will augment the SCARF funds with an appropriate amount to bring the salary in line with similar professionals at their facility.    The host institution will fully compensate the resident in the third year.

·        Benefits/travel/other opportunities provided by host training institution – We recommend the candidate attend the Nutrition Advisory Group Conference, Comparative Nutrition Society Conference, and AZA Annual Conference at least once. We recommend $1,500 per year for travel to professional meetings or defined training opportunities by the resident.

IDEAL 3-YEAR PROGRAM –example training plan schedule. 

 YEAR 1

• Diet formulation

• Commissary operations
• Feed formulation
• Research project

YEAR 2

• Diet formulation
• Staff and budget management
• Research
• Laboratory

• Job procurement

YEAR 3

• Diet formulation

• Possible offsite training/other institutions
• Job procurement

• Research

INSTITUTION REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICATION TO SCARF FOR SUPPORT IN TRAINING OF A ZOO NUTRITION RESIDENT:  Institutions that would like to apply will send a letter outlining their comprehensive nutrition program with their training plan along with a letter of support from the director or CEO of their institution.  Residents cannot be laid off until the completion of the 3^rd year of the residency program.   Institutions that choose to layoff a resident prior to the end of the residency period will be required to return all SCARF funds regardless of when the layoffs occur.  All applications will be reviewed by the Nutrition Advisory Groups SCARF subcommittee.

 Institutions applying for training the SCARF resident will need to provide the difference of cost in salary from $20,000 provided by SCARF to meet the salary at the intended institution, benefits for the resident for 3 years as outlined by the applying institution, at least $1,500 for the resident to travel to the meetings outlined, and work space including a computer.

 Link to Institutional Application

Please submit this application and completed information to: Dr. Jason Williams, Indianapolis Zoological Society, 1200 West Washington St, P.O. Box 22309, Indianapolis IN 46222-0309 or electronically to application

Updated 10/06