The Florida Keys—The 1st NAVC "Hands-on" Expedition

Dates
August 12, 2012 - August 19, 2012

Douglas Mader, MS, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (DC) and Geraldine Diethelm, Dr. vet. med.
32 hours of RACE-approval pending veterinary CE

Itinerary

Day 1 - Sunday, August 12
Arrive in Miami, FL

Day 2 - Monday, August 13
Discover the mysteries of the Everglades at South Florida’s oldest alligator farm. Near the main entrance of Everglades National Park, Everglades Alligator Farm in Homestead, FL contains more than 2,000 alligators! Handle and learn veterinary procedures in crocodilians, including physical exams and husbandry. Glide across the everglades on a guided airboat tour of the surrounding river of grass, cut through miles of preserved everglades, ripe with wildlife. The ride can be wet, wild and loads of fun. We will be handling alligators and large pythons. In the afternoon, we will drive to Marathon Key, check into our hotel and enjoy a Welcome Reception.
*Meals and Refreshments: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Days 3 and 4 - Tuesday, August 14 and Wednesday, August 15
The group will be split in two today to allow for more hands-on interaction.

Group 1—Spend the entire day at the Dolphin Research Center, home to a family of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions. We will have lectures on Dolphin biology, medicine, handling, medical behaviors, introduction to ultrasound and physical exams. Since no day at Dolphin Research Center is all work and no play for humans or marine mammals, you'll go down on the dock to enjoy a playtime session with the dolphins and slip into a lagoon for Dolphin Dip and swim with these fascination animals.
*Meals and Refreshments: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Group 2—Spend the morning at The Turtle Hospital in Marathon, FL where they are dedicated to rehabilitating, researching and releasing Loggerhead, Green, Hawksbill and Kemp’s Ridley’s. Lectures will focus on turtle biology, medicine, handling and physical exams. In the afternoon, we will have the opportunity to bait and pull traps on a working lobster boat.
*Meals and Refreshments: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

On Day 4, Wednesday, August 15, the Groups will swap to experience the other fun-filled day.

Day 5 - Thursday, August 16
The entire group will spend the morning at the Dynasty Marine, the premier group for capturing and transporting sharks, with lectures on the biology, medicine, handling, physical exam and ultrasound demo on Sharks. In the afternoon we will board our private charter and snorkel Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary, one of Florida's beautiful coral reefs! Over 150 species of fish including yellowtail, angelfish, parrotfish, barracuda, sergeant majors and moray eel call this reef home.
*Meals and Refreshments: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Days 6 and 7 – Friday, August 17 and Saturday, August 18
Morning lectures will discuss the health of the oceans, sustainable fisheries, water quality, filtration systems, fish ID, specimen collection and health programs. After lunch we'll visit the Key West Aquarium to learn about the inner workings of one of the oldest (founded in 1934) public aquaria in the United States. This evening enjoy free time in Key West—do the Duval crawl, attend the Sunset Festival and meet for a group dinner at one of the best restaurants in the Keys!
*Meals and Refreshments: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7 – Saturday, August 18
As we leave the Keys this morning, we stop in Key Largo at the famous John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Snorkelers can view the Christ of the Deep Statue and the living shallow-water coral reefs. We return to Miami in the afternoon and meet for our farewell dinner.
*Meals and Refreshments: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8 – Sunday, August 19
Depart to your hometown.
*Meals and Refreshments: Breakfast

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: All meals from arrival to departure, tips and gratuities, transportation to daily activities and entrance into all attractions are included in the cost. The Expedition cost does not include airfare to Florida, any meals not listed as included, any laundry services or items of a personal nature, phone calls, travel insurance (strongly recommended), passport fees and visas if required. If you are not a US citizen, it is your responsibility to verify proper documentation; see back page of the registration form for details.

COST: Starting at $2,950 per person, double occupancy.

Download Registration Form and FAX to 352.375.4145. Questions may be directed to 352.375.5672 or Expeditions@NAVC.com.