31st Annual Elephant Manager's Association Conference

Hosted by the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium

Thursday, Sept. 30 through Sunday, October 3

The 31st Annual Elephant Manager’s Association Conference could very well be one of the most important to date. In today’s internet age, elephant management is now a global effort, and this conference will feature presentations on elephant conservation and management partnerships and collaborations in the US and worldwide. Accomplishments and developments in breeding, husbandry and research, as well as challenges on many fronts, have laid the groundwork for interactive and information-rich sessions.

The conference will commence on Thursday, Sept. 30, with an icebreaker at the hotel, and conclude on Sunday evening, Oct. 3, with the “elephant olympics” and a savory barbecue and bonfire at the zoo’s 724-acre International Conservation Center. More details will follow in the EMA newsletter and web site, Connect, on Facebook, and via email.


Conference Location & Hotel Information

Holiday Inn-Allegheny Valley, RIDC
180 Gamma Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
Phone: 412-963-0600
Check-in after 3 p.m.
Check-out after noon

Attendees must make hotel reservations directly by calling the hotel and referencing the Pittsburgh Zoo - Elephant Managers Conference

Room rate is $93

Cut-off date for conference rate is: September 1, 2010

Looking for a conference roommate? Contact Terry De Iuliis for availabilities.


How to Register

Mail: Download the conference registration form here.

Online: EMA Online Registration

Have questions? Contact Terry De Iuliis at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium at 412-365-2500.


Scheduled Speakers

  • Heiner Engel, Zoological Director, Hannover Zoo
    Elephant Management in European Zoos
  • Dr. Janine Brown, Reproductive Physiologist, National Zoo
    Update on Reproductive Health Status of Asian and African Elephants in North America
  • Dr. Imke Lueders, Veterinarian, ZooWuppertal, Germany
    Why Do Elephants Express Two LH Peaks? – Another Explanation
  • Dr. Thomas Hildebrandt, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Germany
    New Aspects on Elephant Reproduction and Their Impact on Captive Breeding Programs
  • Joel Kerr, Elephant Keeper, Taronga Western Plains Zoo
    Births at Taronga - From Text Book to Miracle
  • Dr. Denise Sofranko, Field Specialist for Elephants, USDA
    Update on TB Testing for Elephants
  • Dr. Gary Hayward, Laboratory Scientist, National Elephant Herpesvirus Lab, Johns Hopkins
    Update on Elephant Endotheliotrophic Herpesviruses and Acute Hemorrhagic Disease
  • Virginia Pearson
    Genetic Variability and Prevalence of Diseases Among Wild and Captive Elephants.
  • Cory Nordin, Zoological Manager, St. Louis Zoo
    EEHV: Brief Report of Two Cases at St. Louis Zoo, with Priority to Preparing Elephants and Staff for an Event
  • Crystal Eng, Texas A&M University
    Surveying the Prevalence of Elephant Endotheliotrophic Herpesvirus in Captive Asian Elephant Breeding Programs
  • Dr. Ellen Wiedner, Director of Veterinary Services, Ringling Center for Elephant Conservation
    Lumps and Bumps on Elephants
  • Gabe Kibe, Hoofstock Keeper, Denver Zoo
    The Method and Effectiveness of Liquid Nitrogen on Elephant Foot Sores
  • Trudy Williams, Elephant Handler, Ringling Center for Elephant Conservation
    First Time Mother and Calf Would not Nurse for 30 Days
  • Peter Ullman, Berlin Zoo
    Elephants
  • Dr. Mike Rowe, Indiana State University
    Seasonal Heat Storage Variations in Exercising Asian Elephants: Thermal Cost of Locomation
  • Nancy Scott, Research Biologist, Dallas Zoo
    The Impact of a New Exhibit on the Activity Patterns of Female African Elephants at the Dallas Zoo
  • Dr. Kate Evans, Founder/Director, Elephants for Africa
    Education Programmes for the Future of Botswana's Wildlife
  • Heidi Riddle, Founder, Riddle's Elephant and Wildlife Sanctuary
    Human-Elephant Conflict and Co-existence
  • Curtis Lehman, Animal Care Supervisor, San Diego Zoo
    Technically Speaking, This is Our Training Program
  • April Yoder, Senior Elephant Keeper, Oregon Zoo
    EMA Conservation Committee Update
  • Pat Maluy, Lead Elephant Keeper, Woodland Park Zoo
    European Elephant School
  • Nathan Jamieson, Taronga Western Plains Zoo
    Abu Camp: A Recent History
  • Dr. Bill Foster, Director, Birmingham Zoo
    Partnerships in Bull Facility Design and Management
  • Filipe von Gilsa, Head Elephant Keeper, Wuppertal Zoo, Germany, and the Pittsburgh Zoo
    A Sister Zoo Partnership
  • Mike Keele, Deputy Director, Oregon Zoo
    Update on the North American Population of Elephants
  • Carol Thobela-Mabasa, Curator, and Jacob Moeng, Lead Keeper, National Zoo of Pretoria
  • Sally Wiggin, News Anchor, WTAE-TV
    Media and Media Interviews