Photo: Jolene Westerling
ZAA offers weekly webinars. If you are interested in viewing past webinars, you can join ZAA today.
October 15, 2025 at 6pm ET | Registration Link
Providing daily care is just the beginning of responsible zookeeping. To truly enhance the lives of the animals in our care, we must go beyond routine tasks and strive to understand both the species-specific needs and the individual personalities of each animal we work with. By doing so, we can make a measurable impact on their overall well-being. Enrichment is a powerful tool in enhancing animal welfare. In this webinar, you'll discover the real value of enrichment and explore practical, meaningful ways to integrate it into your daily routines.
Webinar Spotlight
Watch the recording here to learn more about AMPs: https://youtu.be/_EtzwM844U0
Watch the recording here: https://youtu.be/GFhNKzj8UBI
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Notes:
Advocate | The Harsh Realities of Raising Orphaned Cheetah Cubs Rescued from the Illegal Pet Trade
Educate | The Teaching Zoo: Where the Creatures are the Teachers
Conserve | Building the Future of Aardwolf Conservation in North America
Behavior Buzz | Thoughtful Use of Primate Ambassadors: A Case Study from Tanganyika Wildlife Park
Wild About Welfare | Hot off the Press!
Bonus Article - Educate: Alternative Training Methods: Using Scent to Target
Bonus Article - Conserve: Chinook Salmon at Turtle Bay Exploration Park
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Submission deadlines:
1st of March, June, September, December
OPTIMIZING ANIMAL WELFARE THROUGH TRAINING
Training plays a vital role in promoting the well-being of animals in managed care. The ZAA’s Animal Training Committee champions integrating evidence-based animal training practices as an essential component of comprehensive animal care alongside factors like nutrition, veterinary care, enrichment, and appropriate habitats.
THE BENEFITS OF ANIMAL TRAINING
Contemporary animal training transcends simple behavior change. By employing a combination of behavior analysis, ethology, phylogeny, and extensive practical application, today’s animal training fosters a deeper understanding of animal behavior, allowing for the development of training programs tailored to an animal’s individual needs and specific contexts. These programs provide numerous benefits for animals in managed care, including the following:
Enhanced Animal Welfare: Training facilitates cooperation in medical care, allows for the implementation of enriching activities, supports day-to-day care, and promotes overall well-being.
Conservation Support: Training can be instrumental in learning about a species, preparing animals for reintroduction programs, and teaching behaviors that contribute to conservation efforts.
Guest Engagement: Well-trained animals can serve as effective ambassadors for their wild counterparts, inspiring guests to become advocates for wildlife conservation.
Interested in Learning More about The Animal Training Committee? View their factsheet below!
Photo: Jolene Westerling
September 25-28, 2025 | Grand Hyatt Denver, CO
Hosted by Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance. Registration will open July 23, 2025
Click here for more information.
October 5-9, 2025 | Phoenix, AZ
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October 12-15, 2025 | Colorado Springs, CO
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October 12-16, 2025 | Ace Adventure Resort, West Virginia
Hosted by C The Future and Elev8
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Contact: [email protected]
Disclaimer: The events and workshops listed on this page are provided for informational purposes only. Inclusion does not constitute endorsement or imply affiliation by the Zoological Association of America (ZAA).