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The article discusses the need for zoo employers to develop interactive training protocols for zoo employees. It is stated that the program must include classroom teaching, field work, demonstrated testing of knowledge and documentation by the employer and that training supervisors should regularly be re-trained and be evaluated by both the employer and trainees. The areas for training include animal capture, restraint and nutrition and poisonous plant identification.

An obituary for Lutz Ruhe, a benefactor of the American Association of Zoo Keepers, is presented.

Fluoridation installation and operation must be considered a complete process, in which various components cannot be chosen without considering their effects on the other parts, including water flow rate, population served, equipment requirements and costs, chemical specifications, handling requirements, feeding point, and hazards. This article focuses on the following factors: method of feeding fluorides; solution feeders; saturators; dry feeders; and dissolving tanks.

The article presents the changes and activities of the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) for 2011. The author talks about the coming elections for AAZK's Board of Directors, the anticipated discussions during the "National Conference" in San Diego, California which transform it to a "discussion-interaction" member participation. He also announces the end of Shane Good's term as president of AAZK's board and Susan Chan's term as managing director of the Animal Keepers' Forum.

The article focuses on the Toledo Zoo, where an incident involving the elephant manager was attacked a young bull elephant. The Toledo Zoo, along with their elephant program and animal keeping profession was then attacked by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). PETA Director Debby Leahy sent a letter saying that the Toledo Zoo has to follow the lead of progressive zoos that have shifted to protected contact.

In this article, the author encourages animal keepers to apply sunscreen and wear appropriate head covering while at work. It notes that animal keepers are at risk of skin cancer because they are working in the outdoors, and a sun screen of at least sun protection factor (SPF) 30 will protect them. The author stresses that animal keepers should prioritize their safety because the effect of the ultraviolet rays of the sun are chronic.

The article announces the increase in individual membership dues of the American Association of Zoo Keepers beginning on January 1, 2010, according to its executive director Ed Hansen. The increase is said to be needed to maintain the goals, objectives, and publications of the Association. The executive director says it is expected that the dues will not increase until the end of the next decade.

The author discusses the impact of the financial crisis on the animal keeping profession in the U.S. He mentions that as a result of the crisis, animal keepers experience budget cuts, layoffs, furloughs, and staff reduction which lead to distraction. He considers distraction as the main cause of injury incidents in the industry. The author also tackles the Advances in Animal Keeping Course, a partnership in education between the American Association of Zoo Keepers' (AAZK) and Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

People who the executive director of the American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK) would like to thank for their assistance in organizing the 2008 AAZK National Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah are mentioned.

Fluoridation is the addition of fluoride to drinking water in order to prevent tooth decay. This article describes commercially available fluorides, optimum fluoride concentrations, and fluoride maximum contaminant levels (MCLs). The particular fluorides covered are sodium fluoride, hydrofluosilicic acid, and sodium silicofluoride. Physical and chemical properties of each are discussed.

This article discusses safety procedures which should be followed when working with and handling fluoride. Operators should learn three basic safety procedures for dealing with fluoride, namely avoiding overexposure, symptoms of fluoride poisoning, and basic first aid. Precautions for avoiding overexposure include wearing proper protective clothing. Some of the obvious signs of poisoning are vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea.