Busch Gardens Tampa becomes the 6th IRKA KPD Hosting institution

Keeper Professional Development
Program Guidelines

APPLICANT INFORMATION

General:
The International Rhino Keeper Association (IRKA) has developed a program that will provide rhino keepers the opportunity to expand their knowledge and husbandry experience. This program has been designed to enable rhino keepers to work at other institutions to familiarize themselves with different management styles. Due to the professional nature of this program, it is only available to Professional or Associate Rhino Keeper Association members.
The IRKA has selected facilities with different management styles to maximize the keepers’ potential for enhancing their expertise. It is the hope of the IRKA that the institutions participating in this program will take this opportunity to share their trials, tribulations, triumphs and successes with their professional colleagues. At this time, the hosting institutions are: Busch Gardens Tampa, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Denver Zoo, San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park and The Wilds. The concept of the program is quite simple, but we feel it is an invaluable tool for expanding the skills of rhino keepers by providing them the opportunity to work alongside their colleagues and learn the nuances of that institution’s husbandry practices.

Approval process:
The keeper participating in this program must not only have their institution’s authorization, but agreement to pay their wages. The institution’s approval requires that employee is covered by their institution’s workmen’s compensation and will provide documentation of personal health insurance. This will provide assurance that the hosting institution will not be liable to cover medical costs.
When application has been approved, there will be a fee of $10 to be contributed to the IRKA scholarship fund.

Submission criteria:
Completed application should be sent to:

Funding program:

• Requires completion of a funding application available through our website. CLICK LINK BELOW.
• There is a limited reimbursement funding program available for expenses incurred during this program.
• Applications must be received by January 1st through June 1st for program participation occurring in the first six months of the year and June 2 through December 1st for program participation during the later part of the year.
• Funding applications will not be kept on file.
• Individuals receiving financial support from IRKA, will be required to submit a brief summary of their experiences, etc. to organization newsletter, The Crash, for inclusion in future issue.

INSTITUTIONAL INFORMATION

Responsibilities of the keeper’s institution:
It will be the responsibility of the keeper’s institution, or the keeper him/herself, to cover any expenses including travel, housing (if necessary) and food. The keeper’s supervisor must complete the section of the application in regards to workman’s compensation plan and information in regards to employee’s medical coverage. As stated in the application, please include any additional documentation your institution may require to participate in this program.

Responsibilities of the hosting institution:
The International Rhino Keeper Association would simply ask the hosting institution to be willing to let interested and approved applicants work alongside their professional staff. We would like each institution to allot a time frame that they could offer this program to interested individuals and let the association know their specific details. Each facility’s time allotment will dictate the amount of time available and subsequently the number of keeper(s) that could participate in this program. We would also like to solicit input from institutions regarding options that may be available in regards to housing in an attempt to reduce the expense(s) to the participants. We would also ask that these institutions provide any additional documentation that might be required so they can be completed in a timely manner. The final decision regarding applicant’s acceptance into the program is based on input by the hosting institution. A candidate for the program can be rejected by the hosting institution, even though they may have already received approval from their institution and/or IRKA. Hosting institution will not be responsible for employee’s wages during keeper professional development at their institution.