Mar 3, 2022
Across the globe, few have been spared the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of personal, public, and animal health, business operations, and travel to name a few. As animal professionals know having experienced it firsthand, public attractions like zoological parks were among the first and hardest hit facilities as the pandemic's effects on a mobile society grew. What were some of the earliest steps taken to blunt these outcomes? How did previous regional pandemics and disaster preparedness plans inform zoological leaders staring at the abyss and what changes need to be made for the future? While the human consequences over the past two years have been devastating, what about the behavior and well-being of species in our care and the wild? What are some of the less visible impacts on field research and wildlife conservation? Join us for a live audience panel discussion held at the International Marine Animal Trainers' Association annual conference with three senior leaders, Grant Abel, Dr. Yvonne Nadler, and Bob Wengel, from Seattle Aquarium, ZAHP Fusion Center, and Shedd Aquarium, respectively, tasked with protecting and preserving their teams, their animals, and the public.