Cougar Immobilization Training and Incident Management Course, Minnesota Zoo-Sept 14 and 15, 2010

Friends and contributors to this blog,  Chris Spatz(Cougar Rewilding Foundation-formely Eastern Cougar Foundation), Jay Tischendorf(American Ecological Research Institute) and John Laundre(Cougar Biologist) join Minnesota Zoo Veteranarian Jim Rasmussen Sept 14-15 in giving a Course on how First Responders can handle Cougar sightings in the Plains and Midwestern States(in a benign way and without resorting to lethal force) as Cougars continue their attempts at re-colonizing their former haunts in our Nations breadbasket States.

See  details below to make plans to attend this important conference.(Note that Chris will not be attending the conference............Jay, John and Jim are the keynote speakers.)


----- Original Message -----
From: ctspatz@earthlink.net <ctspatz@earthlink.net>
To: Meril, Rick
Sent: Sun Aug 22 15:34:57 2010
Subject: Cougar Immobilization Training and Incident Management Course, Minnesota Zoo

Rick,

following my note to you (below) is a fact sheet for a course the Cougar Rewilding Foundation is running in conjunction with the American Ecological Research Institute (headed by Jay Tischendorf, our second president and one of our directors) and Minnesota Zoo on cougar incident management on September 14-15. It's the first in a series we hope to be running throughout the Midwest, to raise awareness and demonstrate that those sometimes errant recolonizers can be captured without incident and shepherded on their way.

Best,

Chris

Mountain Lion Incident Management and Capture and Handling for Natural Resource, Animal Control and Law  Enforcement Professionals

There are increasing confirmations of mountain lions in the Great Plains and Midwest as they naturally disperse from more western areas.  Feral or escaped captive mountain lions, also known as cougars or pumas, are sometimes detected as well.

Though these cats are not normally an immediate threat to humans, First Responders must manage the situation for the safety of all.  

How do you do it? What is the appropriate response to a cougar sighting, encounter, or cornered cat?  

 The Cougar Rewilding Foundation, in cooperation with the American Ecological Research Institute (--AERIE) and Minnesota Zoo, offers the solution.

With its team of cougar experts, the CRF (formerly Eastern Cougar Foundation) is offering a 2-day workshop on the safe and effective management of cougar incidents from the sylvan to the suburban

This is a must for first responders such as local police officers, animal control personnel and natural resource professionals.  This workshop will:

1)    Provide up-to-date scientific information on cougar biology and behavior

2)    Provide information on how to identify cougar sign

3)    Demonstrate the latest in immobilizing drugs and techniques, with hands-on practice

4)    Answer questions on how to handle immobilized animals, precautions needed, monitoring, and what to expect.

5)   Provide first hand information on procedures to use for crowd control, media interaction, and development of your First Responder Team

This one-of-a-kind workshop is designed to give First Responders in areas where pumas are showing up the tools they need to handle the situations safely, efficiently, and professionally.  The course faculty includes:

Dr. John W. Laundré, a veteran cougar biologist with over 20 years experience and dozens of peer-reviewed publications

Dr. Jay Tischendorf, an experienced wildlife biologist and veterinarian with 25 years working with cougars, wolves, and other carnivores

Dr. Jim Rasmussen, professional zoo veterinarian, Minnesota Zoo

Course dates are September 14-15, 2010.  Registration is $200.

If interested in this unique opportunity, please contact:

                                                Jay Tischendorf  DVM

                                                Director, American Ecological Research Institute (--AERIE)

                                                Post Office Box 1826

                                                Great Falls, Montana 59403 USA

                                                Cell:  303-328-8414

                                                E-Mail:   TischendorfJ@Hotmail.com     or   Jay.Tischendorf@Novartis.com