Animal Keeper's Association of Africa

Journal of Occurrences

Our Journal of Milestones
1988 - 2010

Dates	Occurrence	Key People Involved
1988	The concept was initiated by PAZAAB individual membership. PAZAAB is primary focus is on Organisations “Zoo and Aquaria” and not individuals thus the concept of establishing an association for individual members working with animals in captivity and serving there needs.	Dave Morgan
2004	At PAZAAB Conference, Dominic Moss asked about zoo keepers and there interests. He was then tasked to look at such a concept by Dave Morgan	Dominic Moss
2005
January to March	Jimmy was whelmed with passion and in search of knowledge and burning with compassion to create an association that would unite caregivers in eastern Africa (East Africa wildlife care givers association)	Jimmy Awany & Richard Aguboo
May	Jimmy independently tried to search on the internet; to find out if there was an association on African soil. It was from here where we abandoned the idea and thought to join a wider network. This was also his first involvement with AkAA, where he kept in touch with Robynn till 2006 when he was sponsored by John Werth to attend the AKAA AGM and conference at NZG-Pretoria. He was nominated to be on the committee and has been since then. Also contributed through submissions of information on the blog an has been able to share knowledge learnt and created other opportunities for his colleagues and generally improved level of professionalism in east Africa. However, other intuitions where he had sold the ideas of (East Africa wildlife care givers association) felt betrayed them, but when AkAA came to Uganda-east Africa in 2009 this were changed. The rest is alluded too	Jimmy Awany
27 September	Robynn facilitated the inaugural meeting at National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, Pretoria Zoo. Where 45 people attended and discussions held to define the needs and wants of the potential membership. Election of a task team to set up the foundation for the Association: Robynn Ingle-Möller; Dominic Moss, Gabby Harris, Robyn Greyling, Mark Howitt, Tshepang Makganye.	Robynn Ingle-Möller Dominic Moss
	Draft constitution for discussion. AKAA Logo 1st version accepted by audience PAAZAB ENDORSMENT	Robynn Ingle-Möller Dominic Moss (with Mark Howitt and Dave Morgan)
October	Mission, vision, core values established	Gabby Harris
2006
May	AKAA Launched at the East London PAAZAB conference. WAZA Recognition PAZAAB endorsement	Robynn Ingle-Möller
	AKAA Logo 2nd version (and accepted) Proposed Constitution Website established Web Site a “Blog” design. www.zoo.ac.za/akaa -Design of AKAA merchandise “Shirts and Caps” -NZG offered to hold the AKAA Bank account	Donn Ingle Mark Howitt Task Team Donn Ingle Mark Howitt NZG
	AKAA was formally introduced to the PAAZAB Fraternity and endorsed by PAAZAB. Dr Dollinger was attended and gave AKAA Recognition through WAZA. PAZAAB endorsement WAZA recognition	PAAZAB (east London Conference)
2 – 11 May	Dominic Moss attended the 2006 International Congress of Zoo Keepers (ICZ) Conference where he presented a paper on and introduced the international community to the AKAA. After the Congress at the ICZ Executive Committee Meeting the AKAA was formally recognised and Dominic was asked to be on the ICZ Executive Committee.	Dominic Moss
10-11 August	1st AKAA Conference held at National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, Pretoria. Attended by 75 delegates from South Africa One delegate from Uganda UWEC, Jimmy Amway. Mike Best sponsored 10 individual memberships SRE Developments (John Werth) sponsored the Flight, conference fee and the Professional membership fee of Jimmy Awany from Uganda. SRE Developments was the 1st patron of the AKAA	First AKAA Conference
11 August	Adoption of the Constitution of the AKAA Involvement of ICZ -As mentioned I never (cannot recall) reviewing any documents in any meetings that we had received from ICZ. The Constitution came from me, which I got from the worked did in the establishment of the Mokopane Tourism Association and the National Conservancy Association of South Africa (NACSA). It was on this contribution that we built on and Dave added from the PAZAAB Constitution. I do not recall any ICZ input in our constitution. All changed and proposed changes came from committee members and where recorded as such (what was changed, deleted and added and that which was approved at the AGM’s). I have all the records on computer still including the NACSA constitution from were we started.	Mark Howitt
	Appointment of the First Management Committee. Robynn Ingle-Moller (Chairlady); Dominic Moss, Gabby Harris, Robyn Greyling, Mark Howitt, Tshepang Makganye, Jimmy Awany.
8 – 15 August	Jimmy Awany – first keeper exchange effort Visited with -NZG staff -JHB Zoo Staff -NZG breeding centre -Monte Casino
Period of 2006	Kulula.com sponsored 6 air tickets between Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth and Durban, for Committee members to attend a management meetings at Pretoria and Sea world Ushaka.
2007
February	Committee Meeting Durban at Ushaka Sea World -Establishment of new membership category “Regent” – honour Member -Nomination of the first regents – John Werth & Dave Morgan.
	Second Keeper Exchange Graeme Ogilvie -SeaWorld management and husbandry -First ever airplane trip !
	AKAA Logo submitted for registration as a trade mark, (start of a two year process)	John Werth
	The AKAA web domain is registered as akaafrica.com The website is moved from the NZG to the new host DataPro. New website www.akaafrica.com	John Werth Donn Ingle
	1st AKAA MOU signed with – BayWorld followed by JHB Zoo.	John Werth
March	Establishment of KEPA “Keeper Exchange Program Africa” Formal documentation and implemented approval process	John Werth Dominic Moss Robynn Ingle-Möller
	Move of bank Account form NZG to BCRE	John Werth Robynn Ingle-Möller
13–14 August	2nd Conference and AGM at Ushaka Sea World 175 delegates attended. Dave Morgan & John Werth given Regent Status as Life Time members of AKAA	2nd AKAA Conference Gabby Harris & Team
Period of 2007	Membership now in RSA, DRC, Zambia, Madagascar Uganda, USA. Achievement of 150 members. Graeme Ogilvie offers to help Dominic Moss with the Membership database as a sub committee member	Graeme Ogilive Dominic Moss
	Kulula.com sponsored 5 air tickets between Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth and Durban, for Committee members to attend a management meetings at Pretoria and Sea world Ushaka.	Robynn Ingle-Möller
October	The Establishment of the Animal Keepers Association and the Challenges of Becoming Truly Representative of Africa and her Diaspora – Mark Howitt & Robynn presented at the WAZA Marketing Conference hosted by NZG	Mark Howitt
2008
February	MOU Signed between AKAA & NZG	AKAA & NZG
March	KEPA Exchange between NZG & SeaWorld Durban. Elsie Pieterse – animal conditioning techniques.	Elsie Pieterse
May	AKAA represented at the PAAZAB and a report back given on AKAA Activities to date	Robynn Ingle-Möller
August	3rd Conference and AGM at Cango Wildlife Ranch 85 delegates everything sponsored ! AGM decision made to hold AKAA Conferences every second year from now on. New committee members : Graeme Ogilvie, Alan Jardine and Olivia Mills nominated to be on the committee (Graeme as Membership Coordinator) Robynn Ingle-Möller nominated to remain as Chair until next conference. (Mark Howitt, Tshepang Makganye & Robyn Greyling step down from Committee)	3rd AKAA Conference New committee
September	KEPA Exchange between NZG & JHB (Year of the Frog) Harry Seakamela & Heuston Mhlari spent three days at Jhb Frog Research & Breeding Facility	Robynn Ingle-Möller Althea Guinsberg
2009
February	AKAA Animal Conditioning Workshop (February) At NZG facilitated by Gabrielle Harris (Sponsored by SeaWorld and NZG). (Three day workshop)	Gabby Harris
19 – 21 May	AKAA@UWEC Symposium: 35 delegates, 9 countries, 11 institutions. Huge success with joint SHAPE-Africa participation.	Jimmy Awany
22 May	AKAA Chair; Robynn Ingle-Moller is awarded and receives the PAAZAB Bernard Harrison & Friends Conservation Award for Professional Development	PAAZAB
31 May – 4 June	ICEE attendance – Robynn represented AKAA, SHAPE-Africa and NZG (sponsored by SRE Developments) Robynn was invited to sit on the ICEE Organising Committee (huge honour and privilege)	Robynn Ingle-Möller
September	AAZK / ICZ Conference attendance in Seattle USA – Robynn represented AKAA & SHAPE-Africa (sponsored by SRE Developments)	Robynn Ingle-Möller
October	AKAA & SHAPE-Africa facilitate a workshop at Bloemfontein Zoo (Zoo Staff & Friends of the Zoo)	Robynn Ingle-Möller Graeme Ogilvie Olivia Mills Elsie Pieterse Harry Seakamela Heuston Mhlari
	AKAA Committee meeting (Dominic, Robynn, Dave, John, Gabby, Olivia & Graeme) Apologies Jimmy & Alan. -Gabby and Dominic to participate in the GIza Zoo activity. -Robynn & John to attend the ICZ Committee Meeting in Feb.	Jhb Zoo
	AKAA invited to be in collaborative relationship with PAAZAB on the African Zoo Sponsorship Programme	Dave Morgan
2010
1 - 4 February	AKAA visitation to Ocean Park (Hong Kong) Collaboration and understanding generated.	John Werth
4 –10 February	AKAA ICZ representatives attend ICZ Steering Committee Meeting and Strategic Planning sessions. -ICZ Strategic Plan developed with Onnie Beyers assistance. (AKAA has strong contributions towards a global community) -ICZ 2012 Conference venue and facilities tour and meeting. -Dave Morgan visitation during the meeting to introduce the relationship between AKAA & PAAZAB through collaborative and symbiotic relationship.	Robynn Ingle-Möller John Werth (ICZ Steering Committee) Dave Morgan
14 – 18 February	AKAA & Ed4PAAZAB Symposium – February 75 delegates. -First joint activity between PAAZAB & AKAA. (every odd year – AKAA Conference / every even year joint AKAA & Ed4PAAZAB Symposiums) -First Prize went to Elizabeth du Plessis for the best presentation and won attendance at the PAAZAB Conference.	AKAA & PAAZAB
18 February	African Initiative is introduced to the AKAA / Ed4PAAZAB Symposium delegates ZEPECS	John Werth
18 – 19 February	AKAA Animal Conditioning Workshop (Feb) At NZG facilitated by Gabby Harris. Two day workshop	Gabby Harris
19 February	AKAA Committee Meeting all in attendance – Alan Jardine steps down, decision made for current committee to begin stepping down and encouraging sub committee members leadership skills.	AKAA Committee
March	ICZ – Shane Good invited to present to WAZA on the benefits of ICZ to the community (well received)	Shane Good
	AKAA participated in the Giza Zoo PAAZAB Project. Gabby Harris and Dominic Moss	Gabby Harris Dominic Moss
12 – 15 April	AKAA report back on AKAA activities by Gabby & Dominic at the PAAZAB Conference (May 2009 – October 2010)	Gabby Harris Dominic Moss
19 April	SRE Developments becomes a patron of PAAZAB and John is endorsed by PAAZAB as a valued professional in the Zoological field.	John Werth
16 – 18 April	KEPA Exchange – Elizabeth du Plessis (Arachnid husbandry) between NZG & Butterfly World (first ever airplane trip)	Elizabeth du Plessis
April	Update the Journal of Milestones log	AKAA Committee
May	AKAA Highlight in the ICZ Newsletter	AKAA Committee
3 June	AKAA uShaka, SeaWorld – Animal Conditioning Introduction course.	Gabby Harris
July to August	Experiential Learning and Developmental Outreach Activity at Bester Birds & Animal Zoo	Robynn Ingle-Möller
	KEY SUPPORTERS AND SPONSORS over time SRE Developments (everything) PAAZAB National Zoo, Pretoria Johannesburg Zoo Bayworld, Port Elizabeth SeaWorld, Durban UWEC, Uganda Kagisano Print House, Print Room Q-Photo, Pretoria Kulula Airlines Mike Bester (Patronage) ICZ – occasional Travel & Room coverage for AKAA Steering Committee members.