Anthrocon 2024

"So you're a beginner interested in Amateur Radio... or maybe you're a long-time operator who wants to meet fellow furries in the field... or perhaps you fall somewhere in the middle?

Ask yourself, do you want to get a chance to ask those burning technical questions to a panel of long-time radio operators and examiners? Want to get hands-on and a chance to handle various types of Amateur Radio gear and technology?

No matter where you are on the experience spectrum, if you answered yes to the above questions, then you should come out to our Ham Furs Amateur Radio Q&A Session at Anthrocon!

Based on the great audience questions we had at last year's meet-and-greet panel, we've slightly restructured our panel this year to offer an official Q&A session in addition to show-and-tell. Our team of Volunteer Examiners will be on hand before the FCC Amateur Radio Exam to answer your questions about anything from basics of Radio Frequency operations, to specific how-to for today's technology.

Our panel has a combined 40+ years of RF, Engineering, and IT/Cybersecurity experience to draw on, and is happy to talk about our nerdiest hobby.

If you have specific or very technical questions you'd like to have answered during the panel, please feel free to send them to sdwolf@sdwolf.com so our panelists can prepare an answer."

Have you ever wondered why birds are so colorful, or why they do funny dances? Or, most importantly, the love life of birds? If so, this panel is for you! Join Jay Margolis, a PhD student in evolutionary biology, for a short educational lecture on bird color and behavior, followed by a Q&A on everything you could possibly want to know about birds and queer animal behavior!

"Are you a furry interested in getting on the air in amateur radio? Want to get licensed so you can transmit on the amateur bands? Then come out to our FCC Amateur Radio Exam at Anthrocon. Our furry team of FCC-authorized proctors can provide all elements of the FCC amateur radio exam, up to the Amateur Extra level.

Regardless of which level(s) of exam you take, there is a required exam fee of $15.00 (we can accept cash or Venmo) to cover our Exam Coordinator's (ARRL) fees. Re-tests are time-limited and require an additional $15.00 fee.

For maximum success, we recommend all candidates study the FCC question pool using the ARRL's exam practice tool or similar, prior to taking the desired test(s): https://www.arrl.org/exam-practice

Please RSVP for this event by emailing sdwolf@sdwolf.com, to ensure we have enough materials for all candidates. Likewise, any questions on the panel or test can be directed to Shadow at the above email."

A semester-length zoology class condensed into a single panel time slot. Featuring ridiculous audience polls, weird hands-on experiments, and strange drawing challenges - all taught by real, actual scientists. ZOOLOGY 101 is the only class where attendance is 99% of your grade.

Want to work in video games, but can't find a way to get your foot in the door? Or just want to know what it's like to work on a AAA title? Join us for a Q&A session with a team of industry veterans, and we'll answer any burning questions you might have about interviewing, portfolio creation, or working in the industry in general!

Have you ever wanted to get into backyard bird feeding, but you didn't know where to start? I'm here to help! I'll explain types of feeders, what food certain birds like best, how to deal with pesky critters, and so much more!

Guam Kingfishers, known locally as Sihek, have been Extinct in the Wild for four decades. They were decimated to the brink of total extinction on the island of Guam by the arrival of an invasive species, the Brown Tree Snake. Had it not been for biologists rescuing the remaining wild population in the late 1980s, bringing them into expert care, Guam Kingfishers might have been officially declared Extinct.
Since this incredible rescue, Guam Kingfisher populations under the expert care of an Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s (AZA) Species Survival Plan® (SSP), have grown considerably, all while maintain genetic diversity. The National Aviary has been part of this program, actively working within the SSP® and the Sihek Recovery Program, to eventually introduce the species to Palmyra Atoll, a Brown Tree Snake-free island located about 6,000 km (3,729 miles) from Guam, on a trial basis.


Sihek Recovery Program
Male Guam Kingfisher
Female Guam Kingfisher
This project, comprised of several Association of Zoos and Aquarium (AZA)-accredited zoos including the National Aviary, have the long-term goal of releasing and then growing a population in the wild , eventually seeing the Sihek’s International Union for Conservation in Nature (IUCN) status downgraded from “Extinct in the Wild” to “Critically Endangered” – which could make them only the third species ever to do so, behind the California Condor and the Guam Rail. Over the last decade, the National Aviary has hatched 21 Guam Kingfisher chicks in our behind-the-scenes, state of the art Breeding Center, and sent 13 other facilities as part of the Species Survival Program®.
National Aviary Senior Aviculturist Brianna Crane plays a crucial role in this process. In addition to incubating fertile eggs in our Breeding Center that will hopefully hatch and join the program this year, Brianna has personally transported fertile Cincinnati Zoo Guam Kingfisher eggs and a chick to the Sihek Translocation Biosecurity Facility at the Sedgwick County Zoo in Kansas. Every hatching is critical, as these birds holds the potential to be among the first Guam Kingfishers introduced into the wild on Palmyra Atoll. The process of introducing a species back into the wild is extremely intricate and complex, especially with challenges of a species on the brink of extinction.

Working in a modern zoo like the San Diego Zoo or an aquarium like the Georgia Aquarium takes more than just a love for animals! It involves gaining experience, carefully researching your college plans, becoming physically fit, and more. But, with careful planning and a whole lot of passion, you can make this career path your own! Join Dr. Wildlife for a Career Q&A about how to succeed at finding your dream job.

For seasoned gardeners and newbies alike! Come for the sweet memes, stay for the sheer thrill of learning about plants and how we can help them thrive.

"Believe it or not, this is a 100% Safe-For-Work panel... In fact, safety while working is the bottom line when it comes to this topic!

This interactive panel is for all those who want to learn the absolute basics of ropes, rigging, and the various types of rope and equipment used in the fire/rescue services.

We'll be examining rope access equipment and basics from an absolute beginner perspective, including:

Discussing basic Personal Protective Equipment needed for rope rigging;

Discussing the various types of rope/webbing, their uses, and safety considerations;

Practicing how to properly tie some of the basic knots (figure 8, overhand, water knot) used in the fire service;

Demonstrating how ropes can be used to construct basic mechanical advantage haul systems to move a load from one point to another; and

Having an opportunity to examine, handle, and ask questions about equipment used by rope technicians, tower climbers, firefighters, and other rope access personnel.

Attendees are welcome to come and only observe, however any attendee who handles equipment or participates will be required to don appropriate provided P.P.E (Gloves, Safety Glasses). While not required, long sleeves and pants are encouraged.

Disclaimer: This panel is NOT sufficient training to attempt low, intermediate, or high angle rope work or to construct haul systems for overhead/life-safety lifting. Mastering these techniques requires specific training. Work with a professional to confirm your ability to perform these techniques safely and independently before attempting them unsupervised.

Specific questions for the panelists can be directed to sdwolf@sdwolf.com prior to the convention."

Ever wonder what it takes to rehabilitate an injured bird? Come join Reno and KalitheBirb as they reminisce about the joys and sorrows that come with caring for and working with birds as part of a wildlife facility. We will take questions and tell stories about our time caring for our favorite feathered friends.

In this panel (a continuation of the discussion held at Furry Botany I at MFF) topics surrounding the relationship between the Furry Fandom and the plant world will be introduced, followed by a group discussion and q&a/comment session.