This Week's Headline Highlights

Happy New Year from ZAA!

As we welcome 2025, we’re filled with gratitude and pride reflecting on the remarkable achievements of the past year. None of it would have been possible without you - our dedicated members- who continue to inspire and drive our mission forward.

This past year, we celebrated incredible milestones:

71 accredited facilities and a growing network of just under 900 members, united in their commitment to excellence in animal care and conservation.
A total of 12 Animal Management Programs (AMP)
$28K in ZAA conservation donations in 2024, supporting vital conservation efforts and initiatives.
Five recipients of the ZAA Conservation Initiative Grants, each awarded up to $5,000 for their projects. These projects emphasized fieldwork, scientific research, and multidisciplinary efforts to protect species, preserve habitats, and enhance biodiversity.
Four awards presented to facilities recognized for their outstanding achievements in education, exhibit design, and conservation. These awards celebrate excellence and innovation in creating inspiring, impactful experiences that connect people with animals and drive conservation forward.
Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Richard Hahn.
Increased collaboration with like-minded organizations, strengthening our collective impact on animal care, education, and conservation efforts.
New benefit introduced: Accredited facility directors and owners now have the opportunity to join Tom Albert and Dr. Kelly George for their quarterly Washington, DC fly-ins, providing direct engagement with policymakers and advocacy opportunities.

We also hosted two phenomenal events:

Our Annual Conference in Columbus, OH, hosted by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, brought together members, experts, and leaders to share insights and celebrate our shared mission.
Our Mid-Year Conference in Dallas, TX, provided further opportunities for professional development and collaboration.

Additionally, we launched a new membership platform and redesigned our website to enhance your experience and better serve our growing community.

Your passion, generosity, and unwavering support have been the driving forces behind these achievements. Together, we’re making a profound impact in the animal care and conservation world.

As we look ahead to 2025, we’re excited to continue this impactful work together. Your dedication and support make all the difference, and we’re honored to have you with us on this journey. From all of us at ZAA, thank you, and may the new year bring success, joy, and meaningful progress for all!

Welcome to our three new commercial members!

Click Here to Learn More

2025 ZAA Semi-Annual Meeting and Professional Development Workshops (Mid-Year Conference)

Registration is Now Open for the 2025 ZAA Semi-Annual Meeting and Professional Development Workshops! Click here to register.

Join us February 11–14, 2025, in Issaquah, Washington, hosted by Cougar Mountain Zoo for an unforgettable event.

Take advantage of the Early Bird rate available until January 15th!

Don’t forget to secure your discounted hotel reservation by January 15th.

What to expect:

Insightful Workshops: Participate in professional development sessions led by industry experts, designed to deepen your knowledge and advance your skills.
Meaningful Networking: Connect with peers, colleagues, and leaders in the field who share your passion and commitment to excellence.
Community building: Collaborate and exchange ideas with like-minded individuals, building relationships that inspire and strengthen our shared mission.

We look forward to seeing you there!

December 2024 ZAA Magazine

Click here to view the magazine

Now Accepting Applications for the 2025 ZAA Conservation Initiatives Grants

Do you have a game-changing conservation project in mind? ZAA is proud to support innovative initiatives that drive species conservation, habitat preservation, and biodiversity enhancement.

Application Window: January 1, 2025 – April 15, 2025

Grant Amount: Up to $5,000 per project

We’re looking for proposals that excel in:

Conservation research
Education and outreach
Community engagement
Field programs and scientific studies
Multidisciplinary approaches to solving conservation challenges

Apply Today

Curious about the impact of these grants? Discover stories of past recipients and their incredible work!

Click here to view past recipients

Announcing Our New AMP/Conservation Committee Chair: Joel M. Hamilton

We are thrilled to announce Joel M. Hamilton as the new Chair of the AMP/Conservation Committee! With over 40 years of experience as a zoo professional, Joel brings a wealth of expertise to this role. Having served as a dedicated committee member for more than five years, he is passionate about advancing animal management programs and conservation efforts. Joel’s impressive career includes hands-on involvement in groundbreaking field projects like the Condor Project and conservation research in the Amazon and Cuba. Under the leadership of outgoing Chair Ken Kaemmerer, the committee has achieved significant milestones, and Joel is eager to continue this progress, focusing on strengthening conservation programs and expanding ZAA’s impact. Read more to learn about Joel’s vision for the future and Ken’s remarkable legacy!

Click here to read more

ZAA Professional Development Webinars

Shift Your Perspective: Pre-requisites to Effective Communication

January 8th, 2025

Click here to register

Understanding How to Interact With Service Animals at the Zoo

January 15th, 2025

Click here to register

Common Myths of Zoo and Wildlife Feeding

January 22nd, 2025

Click here to register

Keepers are the Backbone: Enhancing and Advancing an Existing Wellbeing Program

January 29th, 2025

Click here to register

Building Bridges: How and Why to Establish Essential Relationships with Your Representatives

February 26th, 2025

Click here to register

Conservation & More

Rare Florida bat’s survival hinges on urban conservation efforts

Looking Back and Ahead

Pygmy Hippo Born Before Christmas

Wildlife threatened by light pollution

Vampire hedgehogs, pirate spiders and fishy fungi - the strangest new species of 2024

Switching escape strategies in the parasitic ant cricket Myrmecophilus tetramorii

ODOT using $33 million grant to build first wildlife crossing over I-5

Maine wildlife officials are seeking reports of endangered New England Cottontail rabbit sightings

More than 400 fur seal pups spotted off San Francisco coast in ‘truly remarkable’ comeback

Upcoming Workshops and Events

Bitesize Behaviour Series Presents: Cooperative Care - Introduction to Husbandry Behaviors Part 2

January 7, 2025 at 2-4pm EST | Online

An Introduction to Target Training with Cassie Malina - Awesome Animal Solutions

January 12, 2025 at 1-3pm EST | Online

Giraffe & Okapi Conference

January 20 - 24, 2025 | Palm Desert, CA

Click here to learn more.

SDZWA Safe Capture Training Events

January 22-23, 2025 | San Diego, California – San Diego Zoo Safari Park

February 15-16, 2025 | Athens, Georgia (Univ. of Georgia)

March 17-18, 2025 | St Joseph, Missouri (Missouri Western State Univ.)

March 22-23, 2025 | Lincoln, Nebraska (Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln)

April 5-6, 2025 | Phoenix, Arizona (Arizona Game & Fish Dept.)

Click here for more information.

Natural Encounters, Inc., Training and Education Center - "TEC Talks" Webinar Series Relaunch: "Choice and Control: Understanding the Differences and Their Impact on Animal Welfare"

January 27, 2025 at 2-3:30pm EST | Online

Bitesize Behaviour Series Presents: Understanding Observable Behaviour

February 4, 2025 at 2-4pm EST | Online

Natural Encounters, Inc., Training and Education Center - Professional Contemporary Animal Training and Management Workshop

February 8-13, 2025 | In-Person

2025 IAATE Annual Conference

February 19-22, 2025 | Pigeon Forge, TN | Hosted by The American Eagle Foundation

Registration is now open. Click here to learn more.

Natural Encounters, Inc., Training and Education Center - Virtual 4-Week Course: Parrot Training and Behavior

Tuesdays: February 25, March 4, 11, 18, 2025 | Online

Natural Encounters, Inc., Training and Education Center - "Expanding Your Training Toolbox": 1 Day Training Workshop with Steve Martin

February 26, 2025, 10am-3pm EST | Online

Natural Encounters, Inc., Training and Education Center - Immersion Workshop

March 1-6, 2025 | In-Person

Bitesize Behaviour Series Presents: The Science of Behaviour

March 4, 2025 at 2-4pm EST | Online

Small Mammal & Ambassador Symposium

March 5-7, 2025 | Frank Buck Zoo in Gainesville, Texas

Abstracts due December 2nd, 2024

Natural Encounters, Inc., Training and Education Center - Virtual 4-Week Course: Ambassador Animal Training and Welfare

Thursdays: May 8, 15, 22, 29, 2025 | Online

Practical Zoo Nutrition Management Course - Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation

28 April – 2 May 2025 | Front Royal, VA

Natural Encounters, Inc., Training and Education Center - Professional Contemporary Animal Training and Management Workshop

November 8-13, 2025 | In-Person

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