[IATCB] News and updates for December 2021

Hello Visitor,

Certificant Highlight

Sara Pierobon, CPBT-KA took a moment to share with us! She is our first certificant from Italy!

“My name is Sara Pierobon, I'm 24 years old and I was born and raised in Italy. I've been working with exotic animals, mainly birds of prey, since 2016 but it's been hard to find new ideas and concepts in the narrow minded Italy, probably because of the strong bond with traditional falconry. I've always wanted to prove my competence and knowledge and I finally found the IATCB certification! In all honesty, the exam scared me, also because English is not my first language, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover that, while studying was undoubtedly important, my experience was most helpful. I’d like to thank both the IAATE association and the IATCB board for their hard work and praise their efforts in sharing knowledge and educating.

In the photo: Raava, my female Falco biarmicus erlangeri born this May, and me, sporting my beloved SAFE t-shirt! #SAVEourScavengers  #VultureSAFE”

We would love to highlight you or your facility in our newsletter and on our Facebook page. Let us know the amazing things that you are doing to help raise the bar! Contact kelly.garrison@accgov.com for more information.

Want to find out more about setting these types of standards within your facility or becoming certified? Contact the IATCB board by visiting our website!

2022 Testing Dates

*Applications will not be accepted after 11:59pm Eastern on this date

Our testing company, PTC has partnered with Prometric for Computer-Based Testing. Learn More here. With Prometrics there are no additional International Testing fees!!

Are you a Hopeful Certificant? 

Looking for the study guide for the CPAT- KA exam? Click here

Looking for the study guide for the CPBT- KA exam? Click here

Already certified?

The CPBT-KA and CPAT-KA credential is valid for 5 years from the date it is awarded. To renew the credential a certificant must either re-take the examination after 5 years or accumulate sixty Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) by attending IATCB approved workshops, seminars, classes, or conferences.   Head over to here to check out a list of approved CEUs!

Please note that all CEUs MUST be claimed with two (2) months of the event, submissions will not be accepted after this period!

Trainers Talk

How SARS-CoV-2 in American deer could alter the course of the global pandemic, Michaeleen Doucleff

Scientists have evidence that SARS-CoV-2 spreads explosively in white-tailed deer and that the virus is widespread in this deer population across the United States.

Researchers say the findings are quite concerning and could have vast implications for the long-term course of the coronavirus pandemic.

Since SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes the disease COVID-19, first emerged, there have been several signs that white-tailed deer would be highly susceptible to the virus — and that many of these animals were catching it across the country.

In September of last year, computer models suggested SARS-CoV-2 could easily bind to and enter the deer's cells. A recent survey of white-tailed deer in the Northeast and Midwest found that 40% of them had antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Read More…

Species Spotlight

Arctic fox; Vulpes lagopus

Arctic fox are found in the tundra extending through the arctic regions of Eurasia, North America, Greenland, and Iceland. They are found mainly in arctic and alpine tundra, usually in coastal areas. Arctic foxes are monogamous and usually mate for life. They live a communal and nomadic life, often forming small bands to scavenge the countryside for food. They do not hibernate during the winter months. They will construct homes called dens, often in cliffs, in which a family social group inhabits. Some of these dens have been used for centuries by generations of fox. This group usually consists of one adult male, the litter, and two vixens. One of the vixens is a nonbreeding female born the previous year that stays to help care for the next litter. The arctic fox is an opportunistic feeder, eating practically any animal, alive or dead. Although it prefers small mammals, it will eat insects, berries, carrion, and even the stool of animals or human beings. Generally, its winter diet consists of marine mammals, invertebrates, sea birds, fish, and seals. For populations living more inland and in the summer, the diet consists mostly of lemmings. During the summer months, when food is much more readily available, arctic foxes collect a surplus amount of food and carries it back to their dens, where it is stored under stones for later use. The arctic fox is an opportunistic feeder, eating practically any animal, alive or dead. Although it prefers small mammals, it will eat insects, berries, carrion, and even the stool of animals or human beings. Generally, its winter diet consists of marine mammals, invertebrates, sea birds, fish, and seals. For populations living more inland and in the summer, the diet consists mostly of lemmings. The artic fox is listed as Least Concern by IUCN. “The Arctic Fox has a circumpolar distribution in all Arctic tundra habitats, with a global population in the order of several hundred thousand animals. Most populations fluctuate widely in numbers between years in response to varying lemming numbers, but in most areas population status is believed to be good and there is no reason to believe that the species currently qualifies for listing as threatened under any of the criteria.”

The International Avian Trainers Certification Board and the International Animal Trainers Certification Board, IATCB, offers you a way to gain professional credibility, increase your earnings potential, and advance your career. We live in a competitive world, and animal trainers are no different than anyone else looking for advanced knowledge and skill in their profession. IATCB endorses voluntary certification by examination for all professionals involved with animals, including trainers, educators, handlers, veterinarians, and all others involved in the care and handling of animals.

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