Welcome to Apenheul

Dear colleagues and friends,

The more we know about the impact of adequate animal nutrition on animal welfare, the more we realize there is still a lot to discover. Therefore it is very important that zoos share and increase their knowledge on this important topic. We are frontrunners, or at least should strive to be so, on this matter and in my opinion it’s one of the hidden gems of modern day, leading zoos. Gems, that we should share not only between zoos, but also with our visitors and other stakeholders. The more people know about the importance of nutrition outside your field of expertise, the more your field of work will be able to attract more funding and thus improve itself.

The recently developed habitat for small New World primates at Apenheul, might be a good example. It improves animal welfare on a multifactorial scale ánd involves the visitor. The exhibit barrier consists of a more-than-hundred-metres-long insect hotel, which aims to provide the insectivorous callitrichids with countless foraging opportunities. This insect hotel is a conversation piece and gives us the opportunity to talk about the importance of biodiversity and the role of primates in the food chain.

We are very honoured that Apenheul is given the opportunity to host this year’s nutrition conference and I hope many of you will be able to participate and visit the park. I wish you a lot of inspiration and would like to challenge you to team up with your marketing and communications department in order to convince even more people about the importance of good food!

Roel Welsing

Managing Director Apenheul

You are invited to submit abstracts for the upcoming European Zoo Nutrition Conference 2025.

Submission Guidelines: Submissions are welcomed from both practitioners and researchers. Please see this document for example submission.

1. Abstract length: Abstracts should be no longer than 500 words.
2. Format: Please use the template provided (attached) by including the title, list of authors (with affiliations), the main body of the abstract and key words directly into this document.
3. Content: Clearly state the research objective, methods, results, and conclusion.
4. Language: All abstracts must be submitted in English.
5. Submission: Please indicate if your submission is for an oral presentation (15 minutes) or a poster. Abstracts must be submitted electronically to the email address provided below.

Important dates:

• Submission deadline: 31 August 2024. In the event of a deadline extension, priority for oral presentations will be given to submissions arriving prior to the original deadline.
• Notification of acceptance: Mid-September 2024

We encourage submissions from a wide range of disciplines related to animal nutrition and look forward to your participation in what promises to be a highly engaging and informative event.

All delegates, including speakers, must register for the conference.

Please submit your abstracts to the EAZA Nutrition Group (Marcus Clauss) before 31 August 2024 with ‘EZNC25 – [Poster/presentation] – Abstract – [Name]’ in the subject line.

Tutors: Heidi Bissell, Marcus Clauss, Lauren Samet

Aimed at: Anyone responsible for animal diets (nutritionists, keepers, vets) at a zoo

Workshop aim(s): 

This workshop aims to go back to basics for those who have not had formal training in animal nutrition, specifically in formulating diets, nutrient calculations, and understanding various aspects of nutrient concentrations. The workshop will use (freely available) Zoo Diet NaviGator software to carry out these tasks, allowing delegates to be trained in the use of this software by its creator, Heidi Bissell.

Learning outcomes: By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Understand logic as to why certain dietary items are preferred in dietary design (to feel confident in making decisions on species appropriateness based on this).
• Introduction to the freely available Zoo Diet NaviGator software – be able to access it and know how to use it appropriately for accurate dietary design.
• Understand/ learn about some of the key nutrient ratios required within different types of diets and why.

Registration for this Academy workshop is possible via the Nutrition Conference registration form.

Participation fees:

• EAZA Members: 149€
• Non-EAZA members: 185€
  

Programme

Apeldoorn and Apenheul are easily accessible by car and public transportation. It is highly recommended to rent a bike or to use the OV-bike service to explore Apeldoorn and surroundings. 

Public transport

From Schiphol airport, you can take the train to Apeldoorn, approximate travel time is one hour. See NS timetable and journey planner here.   

Time schedules for Dutch public transport can be found at https://9292.nl. E-tickets can be purchased by using the 9292 app.

Apeldoorn has a train station and there is a straight intercity train connection from Schiphol Airport or Amsterdam Central station to Apeldoorn. At Apeldoorn Central station, you can take Bus 1 (Final destination is Apenheul, via Rijkskantoren), leaving every 15 minutes. It will take you 12 minutes to arrive at Apenheul by bus. A short walk of nearly 10 minutes from the bus stop, through park Berg and Bos  will bring you to the entrance of our Conference Centre.

Bus timetables will be made available at the registration desk and online.

Taxi

If you would like to travel by taxi you can contact:

Taxi SchimmelTel: 0031 (0)55 533 33 66

This is a local taxi company which can bring you to a destination near Apeldoorn but also to Schiphol Airport if needed. Note: please book in advance when possible. You can obviously also consider using the Uber or Bolt app. 

Berg and Bos Parking

The Berg and Bos Parking Area is located at the entrance of Park Berg and Bos ( J.C. Wilslaan 21) and the parking fee is € 5,25 for a whole day. This is also the Taxi drop-off and pick-up point. The walk from the parking area to the conference centre is 5 minutes. Bike parking is located at the entrance of Park Berg en Bos as well.