Thermal Imaging for Zoos
A professional-level course on 4 to 6 February 2025 in Helsinki, Finland
Ideal for keepers, caretakers and managers at zoos, as well as those carrying out research or monitoring in the wild.
On the course, you will get
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In-depth knowledge on how to unlock the potential of thermal imaging in imonitoring animal health, thermal comfort, social cohesion, vitality of newborns, and much more
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Practical excercises with animals and different types of thermal cameras
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A course diploma and plenty of illustrated instructions to take home
A fruitful investment for any zoo.
Examples of the use of a thermal camera to monitor animal health
The top image shows a group of ruffs (a species of sandpiper) at a zoo exhibit. The bottom image shows the same birds as seen through a thermal camera, revealing surface temperatures in fine detail.
The vertical scale on the left-hand side of the image shows in which order the different colours are being used as symbols of lower and higher temperatures in this image. Anything below 19 C will be shown as black and anything above 39 C, as white. The scale is fully adjustable, allowing for examination of lower and higher temperatures as well.
A crucial skill in using a thermal camera to monitor animal health is to recognise which patterns are normal and which are not. The cool legs of the bird closest to the water's edge are likely to be normal, resulting of having waded in the water, after which evaporative cooling makes the surface look cool to the thermal camera. However, the bird on the left is likely to have a circulatory problem in its left leg, warranting closer inspection. If the cool surface of that left leg were only an effect due to wet legs, such wetness would show in both legs.
This image shows a Patagonian mara with inflammation in the upper part of the right leg.
In this image, areas marked with white are of the highest temperature. The inflammation in tissues below the skin is sufficient to cause the visible temperature anomaly on the surface.
With thermal images like this, a zoo caretaker or veterinarian can spot the individuals that need veterinary attention.
Meanwhile, the high temperature of the eyes is normal. Without hair to insulate body temperature from the camera's view, the surface temperature of eyes is closer to body temperature than that of most other body parts.
Click on the below to find out more about the course
Programme and Topics
Topics covered will include
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Currently available methods to use thermal imaging in monitoring thermal comfort, temperatures of surfaces in the environment, detecting acute stress, monitoring animals in the dark, assessing vitality of newborns, and more.
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Understanding how thermal imaging works as a key to accurate imaging. What is infrared radiation, how does a thermal camera measure it, and how will this information help you prevent common errors? Thermal physics presented in an easily accessible, fun way!
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Common sources of error and how to prevent them. Opportunities and limitations in modern-day thermal imaging.
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How to select the right type of thermal camera for your needs?
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How to use the latest versions of free thermal analysis software to get more information out of the thermal images than meets the eye?
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Practical exercises with thermal cameras: How to plan for accurate imaging: what is the correct angle and height for the camera, and how to set the necessary parameters, from ambient and reflected temperature to emissivity? Learn to rapidly focus on a moving animal.
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How to use thermal images and thermal videos to create stunning displays for the zoo visitors.
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And much, much more
The language of the courses is English.
The detailed programme will be sent to the participants after registration and payment.
Tailored to your interests: Before the course, we will contact all registered participants to find out more about your specific wishes, so that we can take those into account in planning the detailed contents of the course.
Suitable for beginners and experienced users alike: Because a substantial part of the learning will take place in small-group excercises, we will also be able to tailor the content for your level of prior experience.
The programme at a glance:
Tuesday, 4 February
Location: Conference facilities of Hotel Sokos Presidentti
9:00 Lectures and demonstrations: Current uses of thermal imaging in monitoring animal health and welfare in zoos and in the wild, and what is needed to succeed in them.
12:00 Lunch
13:00 Hands-on introduction to a range of different thermal cameras and to easy-to-use analysis software. Getting familiar with them in practice.
17:00 Free time in Helsinki, with recommendations for sightseeing provided
Wednesday, 5 February
Location: Helsinki Zoo
9:00 Shuttle bus transport from Hotel Sokos Presidentti
10:00 Practical exercises with thermal cameras and animals, with lunch at the site.
16:00 Shuttle bus transport back to Hotel Sokos Presidentti
Location for the evening: Restaurant of Hotel Sokos Presidentti
18:00 Course dinner
Thursday, 6 February
Location: Conference facilities of Hotel Sokos Presidentti
9:00 Buidling on the exercises of Wednesday: Using analysis software to uncover more information in the images you took.
12:00 Lunch
13:00 In-depth discussions: How to tap the full potential of thermal imaging in your work, tailored to each participant's interests. How to prepare for future developments in the field.
17:00 End of the course
Lecturers
The high professional standards of the course are based on the expertise of the lecturers. They have long professional experience on thermal imaging of animals in research, monitoring, and as a diagnostic aid. Both have provided thermal imaging training on international courses before, to high participant satisfaction.
Helena Telkänranta, PhD, is the Founder and CEO of the research company Arador Innovations, leading its development of new thermal imaging methods to measure animal and human health. Helena has previously carried out thermal imaging research at the University of Helsinki, Finland and the University of Bristol, UK.
Mari Tienhaara, DVM, PhD, is the Founder and co-owner of Veterinary Clinic Askel, one of the leading expert facilities in Finland in veterinary thermal imaging. Mari has previously carried out thermal imaging research at the University of Helsinki, Finland.
Feedback from participants of earlier thermal imaging trainings:
"It exceeded my expectations."
"The presenter was approachable thorough and was very good at explaining both the physics and the practical/diagnostic applications."
"I learned so much and it was truly fascinating."
In addition to Helena and Mari, you will be assisted on the course by staff members of Arador Health Science.They will help you in hands-on learning, contributing to your personalised experience and maximising the benefits you will get from the course.
Thermal cameras
On the course, you will have the unique opportunity to try out a range of different thermal cameras. You will get hands-on experience on five different thermal camera models, from a low-cost model worth a few hundreds of Euros, all the way to high-resolution thermal video cameras worth tens of thousands of Euros.
The thermal camera models that you will use on the course are as follows: Hikmicro Eco-V, FLIR E60, FLIR T560, FLIR P640 and FLIR SC660.
If your organisation already has a thermal camera and you would like to bring it along to learn more about that model specifically, you are welcome to do so.
Venues
The course will take place in Helsinki, Finland, at the conference facilities of Hotel Sokos Presidentti.
Located in the heart of Helsinki, this popular venue for conferences is surrounded by plenty of options for your free time. The Natural History Museum is right across the street, and there are several restaurants, shopping centres and art museums nearby.
The day of practical excercises will take place at Helsinki Zoo, about 15 min drive from the hotel. We will arrange a shuttle bus to take you there from the hotel and back.
The conference dinner on Wednesday evening will take place at the restaurant of the hotel.
Once you have registered and paid, we will send you detailed information on the venues and surroundings.
Accommodation and travel
All registered participants will get a discount on the room rates at Hotel Sokos Presidentti. Or, should you like to stay elsewhere, there are several hotels nearby, as well as other types of accommodation for different budgets, such as apartment hotels and Airbnb stays.
The hotel is easy to reach from Helsinki Airport by train. The train station is located within the airport, and at the centre of Helsinki, it is about 10 min walk from the Central Railway Station to the hotel, with taxis also available. If you arrive by ferry, there is a tram connection from the harbour to near the hotel.
Once you have registered and paid, we will send you detailed information on the hotel and a selection of other recommended hotels and other options for accommodation, as well as information on traffic connections and how to find you way.
Organisers
The main organiser of the course, responsible for the content and the practical arrangements, is the research and science communication company Arador Innovations, and its thermal imaging research department Arador Health Science.
The course is organised in cooperation with Veterinary Clinic Askel, one of the leading expert hubs in Finland in veterinary thermal imaging, and Infradex, Finland's leading expert company in thermal camera technology.
Fees and discounts
The registration fee covers the following:
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The three days of lectures and practical exercises, including hands-on tutoring
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Tailored content to meet your interests
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Pdf versions of the lecturers' PowerPoint presentations
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The detailed pdf guide "Thermal Imaging for Veterinary Clinics and Physiotherapists"
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A certificate for completing the course
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Lunch on all of the three days
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Coffee/tea breaks with snacks on all three days
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Course dinner on Wednesday evening
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Light breakfast on Tuesday and Thursday
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Shuttle bus travel between the venues
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A discount on room rates at Sokos Hotel Presidentti
Minimum and maximum numbers of participants: The course will be organised if there are at least 6 registered participants by 1 month before the beginning of the course. If not, the course will be cancelled and the participants will be refunded in full. We can take a maximum of 24 participants. If there are more than that registering, the date and time of registration will be the criterion on the order of the subsequent people on the waiting list.
The normal registration fee for all of the above is 1,900 Euros + VAT when applicable.*
Early Bird discount: Register on 10 December at the latest, and get all of the above for only 1,650 Euros (+ VAT if applicable)
Extra discount for those registering for more than one course: you will get the registration fee of the second course (and third when applicable) at half the price.
*) In most cases, VAT (value added tax) is not charged. It only applies when the fee is paid by a private person, not an organisation, or when the fee is paid by an organisation registered in Finland, which can then make a deduction it in its own taxes. The VAT rate in Finland is 25.5 %.
Payment options: invoice, credit card and PayPal. Terms of payment: Cancellation and refund: If a registered participant cancels their participation earlier than 30 days before the start of the course, the registration fee will be returned in full. If a participant cancels later than 30 days before but earlier than 72 hours before the start of the course, half of the registration fee will be returned. If a participant cancels later than 72 hours before the start of the course, they will not be refunded, but will receive the pdf's of course materials. Transferring a place on the course to another person: If a registered participant cannot attend, as an alternative to cancellation they can transfer their place to another person without extra cost.