"It could be a nutritional problem?" This question probably sounds familiar to most zoo vets. An animal doesn’t do well, maybe it dies, maybe a second one, too. At some point somebody will come up with the idea, that it could be a nutritional problem and all the heads will turn to the zoo vet, to answer it! Who can help you in this situation?
Zoo animal nutrition is increasingly been recognised as a speciality and knowledge and expertise available is increasing, too. Not only in America but also in Europe. The establishment of a biannual European Conference on Zoo Animal Nutrition, the Zoo Animal Nutrition Volumes I & II, and the Zoo Animal Nutrition Research Group are positive signs for this trend. Therefore there is an increasing number of specialists around that can help in answering questions regarding a possible link between disease and nutrition. In fact some might even be interested in performing or joining in a research project regarding a nutritional question. The main challenge is to link zoo veterinarians and nutritionists. This has been recognised be the Executive Board of our Association and it was decided during the Board Meeting at Ebeltoft Zoo in May 2005 to set up a group of EAZWV-members interested in zoo animal nutrition to act as place for contact for zoo vets with a specific question related to nutrition. The idea is that members of this group may in some cases be able to answer the question themselves or in any case can assist in linking zoo veterinarians to nutritionists. The group of people mentioned below are available for questions as of now:
Jean-Michel Hatt
David Gomis
Andrea Fidgett
Marcus Clauss
Klaus Eulenberger
Kristina Johansen
Introducing the EAZA Nutrition Group (ENG)
Dr. David Gomis, DVM, Mulhouse Zoo and Dr. Andrea Fidgett, Chester Zoo
Since the 1st European Zoo Nutrition Conference hosted by Rotterdam Zoo in 1999, there has been much discussion on how to progress zoo nutrition within EAZA-member zoos, recognising that much of the expertise was to be found outside of those zoos themselves. An email forum, the European Zoo Nutrition Research Group – EZRNG (now called EAZA Nutrition Group forum since october 2005) – was initiated in 2001 and did much to continue communication among those interested parties. In 2003 a more formal solution was realised by Joeke Nijboer (Rotterdam Zoo), with the foundation of the EAZA Nutrition Group as working group reporting to the EAZA Research Committee.
Current EAZA Nutrition Group Committee: Dr. Andrea Fidgett, Chester Zoo [Chair]; Dr. Marcus Clauss, University of Zurich; Dr. Tjalling Huisman, Van Hall Institute; Prof. Geert Janssens, University of Ghent; Michael Jørgensen, Copenhagen Zoo; Joeke Nijboer, Rotterdam Zoo.
The EAZA Nutrition Group considers their task: “To promote and support nutrition in zoological institutions as an essential component of their conservation mission.” But what does this mean in practice? The EAZA Nutrition Group and its members aim to provide nutrition advice to zoo-based conservation breeding programmes, by developing guidelines and protocols for general use. Specialist subject advisors (e.g. veterinary, scientific) are increasingly being added to steering committees for zoo-based conservation breeding programmes worldwide; several advisors in nutrition have already been informally appointed within European programmes. The ENG will support existing nutrition advisors and recruit, screen, appoint and support additional advisors as requested by individual conservation breeding programmes.
Membership is not limited to those individuals qualified to be advisors. It is essential that access to nutrition information and expertise is available to ALL individuals who want to know how they can improve nutrition in their zoo. If you’re reading this and want or need to know more about zoo animal nutrition, that means YOU! Members will receive the EAZA Nutrition Group Newsletter by email, as a regular means of circulating current information on zoo animal nutrition. A wide range of material will be considered for publication including announcements, notes, useful links, recent references, news & reviews.
Joining the group is simple. Send an email to the Chair [
], put ‘Join ENG’ in the subject line. You will be sent a form to complete asking for your contact details and also to indicate your interests and/or expertise. This information is optional but we are compiling an enhanced and very useful membership directory.
The EAZWV will definitively subscribe to this work and support the ENG. The EAZWV Nutrition Working Group will rally all zoo and wildlife vets involved as ENG advisors or simply ENG members, in order to help better and coordinate the subjects that could need our pathologist expertise. We look forward to hearing from you!
The 5th European Zoo Nutrition Conference - Hosted by Chester Zoo, 24-27 January 2008
Andrea Fidgett, Chester Zoo
Taking place at the Queen Hotel in Chester, this conference will comprise a series of invited speakers, papers and posters that represent the broadest range of research and practical experience in this subject. Several leading authorities have been approached as keynote speakers, specifically to stimulate discussion and research in previously under-explored areas of zoo animal nutrition, including sustainable & ethical nutrition, nutritional physiology of plants, conservation nutrition and nutrition of aquatic animals. More information will be circulated soon.
The organizing committee invite all those with an interest in the challenging task of feeding captive wildlife to attend!
IMPORTANT DATES:
· Abstract submission deadline 26 OCTOBER 2007
· Notification of abstract acceptance 9 NOVEMBER 2007
· Early registration deadline 30 NOVEMBER 2007
· Deadline for discounted accommodation 9 DECEMBER 2007
Introducing Zootrition®: Dietary Management Software for Zoo and Wildlife Professionals
Dr. David Gomis, DVM, Mulhouse Zoo and Ellen S. Dierenfeld, PhD, CNS, Nutritionist, Saint Louis Zoo
Zootrition® is a comprehensive database that provides zoo and wildlife managers with a powerful tool to compare nutritional content of specific food items and calculate overall nutritional composition of diets. Potential nutritional deficiencies and toxicities can be identified and additional information specific to local regions can be added by users. Zootrition® was developed by the Saint Louis Zoo with support from the World Association of Zoos and Aquarium (WAZA).For further details on the Zootrition software, you can visit:
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