Photo: Jolene Westerling
ZAA offers weekly webinars. If you are interested in viewing past webinars, you can join ZAA today.
October 8, 2025 at 6pm ET | Registration Link
Panelist: Mike Maslanka
Beyond agriculture crops used for zoo animal forage, browse (leafy tree and shrub material) is a valuable addition to many herbivore diets. That said, many is not “all,” and it is important to consider the natural history and foraging strategy of the herbivore in question to determine whether browse is needed within a diet. Given the resource investment in browse procurement (whether growing, locating, harvesting, transporting, or all of those), it is important to focus its use to where it is necessary. In this webinar with Mike Maslanka we’ll chat about necessary use and integration into diets, browse safety, and any questions you might have about browse use with your own animals.
October 15, 2025 at 6pm ET | Registration Link
Panelist: Allison Malkowski
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.
October 29, 2025 at 6pm ET | Registration Link
Panelist: Sarah Feliciano
Do you ever wonder what makes enrichment “good”? Or how to get a team full of conflicting ideas pushing towards the same behavioral goal? Or do you know a troublemaker who needs just a bit more enriching than the rest of the family group? Send your questions to Tatiana at [email protected] ahead of time, or bring them to the live session, as we dive into all things enrichment with Sarah from Zoo Enrichment Lab!
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 | AAZK and ZAA Working Together: Facilitating Growth in the Animal Care Profession
Educate | 2025 ZAA Scholarship Recipients
Conserve | ZAA’s Newest Animal Management Program: Aardwolves
Behavior Buzz | Bridging the Communication Gap: Plain Language vs. Technical Jargon in Animal Training
Wild About Welfare | 2026 Welfare Workshop Series!
Bonus Article - Advocate: An Invitation to the Zoo Community: Help Care for Cheetahs in Somaliland
Bonus Article - Educate: Training Raptors with Protected Contact: Building Trust and Effective Strategies
Bonus Article - Conserve: 2025 ZAA Conservation Initiatives Grant Recipients
Bonus Article - Educate: Four Flamingo Chicks Hatched at Montgomery Zoo
Bonus Article - Conserve: First Camera Trap Evidence of Chinese Pangolins in Nepal’s Community Forests
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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
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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November 19-21, 2025 | Mesa, AZ
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Contact: [email protected]
December 5-8, 2025 | Fort Worth Zoo
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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).