Wildlife Handling and Chemical Immobilization - International Conservation Center near Fairhope, PA
Dates: October 14-16, 2025
Location: International Conservation Center near Fairhope, Pennsylvania
This 3-day course with live animals focuses on the field-based needs for chemical immobilization of both captive and free-ranging wildlife in North America. It is the most current, extensive, and innovative training you can receive. Participants will chemically immobilize domestic goats which simulate deer and other ungulates.
This class is for state/federal/tribal wildlife professionals, zoo & sanctuary caretakers, college students, and animal control officers. Dr. Mark will customize each course to meet the specific needs of the attendees to build confidence, success, and safety with each animal handling. Dr. Mark's support and advising will be available long after the course.
HANDS-ON LABS EACH DAY
- Chemical Immobilization- participants immobilize live domestic goats which simulate deer and other ungulates
- TPR Lab - a practice lab with live animals to prepare for the chemical immobilization lab
- Drug Delivery Systems - opportunity to practice the most effective projectors (dart guns)
- Needle & Syringe Skills - building professional habits for practical field use and human safety
- Blood Collection Practice Station - practice proper techniques for successful blood collection
Course Content Includes:
* Drug Delivery Systems * Immobilizing Drugs * Drug Dose Calculations *
* Five-Step Preparation for Field Operations * Legal Responsibilities *
* Patient Monitoring * Sampling * Veterinary Emergencies *
* Euthanasia * Human Safety * Post Capture Assessment *
GWR courses are often profound personal and career experiences for course participants.
GWR courses build confidence, increase field success, and strengthen resumes!
The course is limited so register early!
It includes labs each day, course notebook, and Certificate of Training. The 3-day course fee is $785 general/ $650 for university students (full-time). Places are reserved once payment is received.
The International Conservation Center is located on nearly 1,000 acres of rolling hills in Somerset, PA and is an extension of the Pittsburgh Zoo. Resident animals include elephants and bison. This is a spectacular location for GWR's 3-day course!
Lodging is Available
The International Conservation Center has lodging that can help you save both time and money. They have three bunk-style cabins with 8 bunks each (bunks only), communal kitchen, fire pit, and shared bathrooms. All are located at the top of a beautiful wooded hill. Lodging in these cabins are available for $35 per person, per night. There is also a large up-scale house with double rooms available for $135 per room, per night.
For more information on lodging and booking, email Ayeshah Al-Humaidhi, the Center Director, at
aalhumaidhi@pittsburghzoo.org
.
Cancellation Policy
We will refund the full course fee for cancellations made prior to 30 days before course start. Cancellations less than 30 days before course start are subject to 50% fee." Cancellation 1 week or less before the course cannot be refunded.
