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Facility tours that provide a working knowledge of husbandry are considered integral for any individual working in aquatic animal medicine.

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*UF Graduate Students need to register with Ms. Sally O'Connell at: oconnells@vetmed.ufl.edu
*UF Veterinary Students need to register with Ms. Dot McColskey at: dorothye@ufl.edu

Refund Policy: Requests for registration refunds will be honored if written notice of cancellation is received by the Office of Conferences and Institutes on or before May 9, 2008. A $250.00 processing fee will be deducted from attendee refunds and $50 from UF student refunds. No refunds will be honored for cancellations after May 9, 2008.

Special Needs: Special needs (such as visual, hearing or walking impairments) of registered attendees can be reasonably accommodated if they contact the Office of Conferences & Institutes at least 10 working days prior to the training. We can be reached by phone at 1-352-392-5930, by fax at 1-352-392-9734, or by email at msowder@ufl.edu. If calling from within the State of Florida, the office can be reached through a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) at 1-800-955-8771.

Before clicking on the Register Online Now link below, we recommend that you have payment information on-hand: credit card, check number or purchase order number, if your institution requires an invoice. 

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Participants traveling by air should fly into and depart from Orlando International Airport. Transportation will be provided to all course activities beginning on June 16, so there is no need to rent a car.

Participants traveling by vehicle should drive to the Homewood Suites in Orlando. Please consider carpooling with other attendees. Vans will depart the hotel early on June 16. The hotel has agreed to allow a limited number of cars to park in their lot from June 15-27.

Van transportation will be provided to and from the preferred hotels to all course lectures, field trips, and venue changes on June 17, 20, 24 and 26. Homewood Suites is the location for the first and final departures, on Monday, June 16 and on Friday, June 27 respectively.

WDW Animal Kingdom

From the planet's largest land mammal to tiny insects, Disney's Animal Kingdom is home to them all! In fact, Disney's Animal Kingdom is home to more than 1,500 birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, representing 300 species. Disney's Animal Kingdom is also home to 5,000 fish representing 50 species and 1,500 insects and other invertebrates. Among these animals are 25 species that are endangered or threatened.

Lectures and lunch on June 16 will be held at a classroom in Animal Kingdom. Students will be transported from EPCOT to Animal Kingdom and may have to go through a second security check.

Animal Kingdom Park Info & Map

SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld takes you on a one-of-a-kind journey to the wonders that exist beyond the ocean’s door. A place where up-close encounters connect you to the energy, excitement, and mystery of the sea and sea life. A world of fascinating days, captivating nights, and exhilarating adventure. Once you’ve been here, you’ll never look at the sea and its incredible inhabitants the same way again.

The last course day (June 27) will be conducted at SeaWorld Orlando. You may drive your personnel vehicle to SeaWorld. However, each participant must have their photo ID, as security will check you off the list of participants we provided them in advance. We will enter through a gate to the SeaWorld backstage area. Lectures and the test will be held in their classroom. After the exam, SeaWorld staff will conduct a behind-the-scenes tour ending around 5pm. You are welcome to stay in the park until closing time. UF will not provide transport from SeaWorld; you are responsible for returning back to the hotel, airport, or elsewhere. Taxi and bus service is available from the park.

SeaWorld Location and Directions

ST. AUGUSTINE

The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience

The Laboratory opened its doors on January 30, 1974. The main laboratory building includes about 20,500 square feet of space and houses the research units of the individual faculty members. The Center for Marine Studies (CMS), which opened in March, 2007, is situated on eastern shore of the Intracoastal Waterway, south of St. Augustine.

Lectures and labs will be held in the CMS June 17-19.

Map and Directions to Whitney Lab

Marineland

Marineland was the world’s first oceanarium; conceived as a project to provide a window to the ocean. Today it continues to serve as a link between the public and the marine world, promoting awareness of our fragile marine and coastal environments and inspiring a commitment to protection of these precious resources. Marineland's Dolphin Conservation Center opened in 2006 to educate and entertain guests through interactive dolphin encounters. The dolphins reside in a 1.3 million gallon habitat. It is located across the road from The Whitney Lab.

On June 18, lectures and a tour will be held at Marineland's Dolphin Conservation Center.

Location and Directions to Marineland

St. Augustine Alligator Farm

Founded in 1893, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm is one of Florida’s oldest zoological attractions. For over a century, it has entertained millions of visitors, lured by the awesome presence of captive reptiles, long regarded in the popular imagination as at once mysterious, dangerous and frightening. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Lectures and lab will be held at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm on June 20.

Map and Directions to St. Augustine Alligator Farm (click on "Visitor Information")

TAMPA

Lowry Park Zoo

Re-opened at its current site in 1988 Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo is today ranked the number-one family-friendly zoo in the U.S. (Child magazine) and recognized by the State of Florida as a center for Florida wildlife conservation and biodiversity (HB 457). Natural outdoor exhibits for more than 2,000 animals from Florida and similar habitats include a Native Florida Wildlife Center and manatee hospital, Asian Gardens, Primate World, Free-Flight Aviaries, Wallaroo Station children's zoo, and Safari Africa.

On June 21, lectures and a tour will be held at Lowry Park Zoo.

Directions to Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo

SARASOTA

Mote Marine Laboratory

What started as a one-woman operation in 1955 by the now-famous shark researcher, Dr. Eugenie Clark, has evolved into more than 230 staff members. From the original focus on sharks, Mote research has expanded to include seven research centers. While each center focuses on its own specialty, Mote scientists are able to partner with others within the lab to integrate efforts across a number of fields. Mote Marine Laboratory is one of the world’s few remaining independent marine research laboratories.

Lectures and labs from June 23-24 will be held at Mote Marine Lab.

Location and Directions to Mote Marine Laboratory

ST. PETERSBURG

Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory

The Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory (MMPL) is a field laboratory of the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) located on the campus of Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. In the past few years, the MMPL has become a valued partner of the FWRI's Education and Information (E&I) division. Staff members have been involved in many outreach programs.

From June 25-26, the class will be split into two. Half the class will travel to MMPL for lectures and necropsy lab the first day while the other half goes to Clearwater Marine Aquarium. The following day the students will switch facilities so all students experience both sites.

MMPL Address is 3700 54th Avenue South / St. Petersburg, FL 33711

MMPL Information

MMPL Map and Directions

CLEARWATER

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Inc. (CMA) is dedicated to public education, research and rescue, rehabilitation, and release of sick or injured animals. Their response team is one of the nation's most successful stranding teams.

From June 25-26, the class will be split into two. Half the class will drive to CMA for lectures, lab and a tour on the first day while the remainder goes to the Marine Mammal Path Lab. The following day, the students will switch facilities so all students experience both sites.

Directions to Clearwater Marine Aquarium

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