Danke schön, Zoo Leipzig!
Discover below a visual summary of a wonderful EAZA Annual Conference, hosted at Leipzig Zoo from 8 to 12 October 2024.
The pictures say it all!
What a week! Over five intense days, 1,072 delegates from 52 countries and 283 institutions gathered in Leipzig Zoo for the EAZA Annual Conference 2024.
They were able to join 2 Academy courses, 5 thematic sessions, 5 plenaries, 12 workshops, 18 coffee and social breaks, and over 100 meetings.
Photo: Jörg Junhold happy to welcome the delegates at his zoo for a lovely, though rainy, icebreaker on Tuesday 8 October.
Smiling faces, catching up with friends and meeting new colleagues at the icebreaker.
Endre Papp, EAZA Chair from Sóstó Zoo, opening the 2024 EAZA Annual Conference on 9 October.
After a recorded speech from Steffi Lemke, Federal Minister for Environment, nature conservation, nuclear safety and consumer protection, delegates were welcomed by (from left to right on the picture) Michael Kretschmer, Prime Minister of Saxony, Skadi Jennicke, Chair of Board and Deputy Mayor for Cultural Affairs and Jörg Junhold, Director of Leipzig Zoo. EAZA Executive Director Myfanwy Griffith then briefly summarised the achievements of EAZA in the last year. Svante Pääbo, Director of Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, was our guest keynote speaker.
Svante Pääbo talked about our closest evolutionary relatives and how they still impact the lives of present-day people, with chunks of neandertal genes linked to sensitivity or resistance to certain viruses, such as the Covid-19 or HIV viruses.
During the first part of the conservation plenary, Pham Tuan Anh, Director of the Viet Nature Conservation Center, talked about the efforts to conserve the Vietnam pheasant and showed a touching animated film used to raise awareness of the species in its native country. She followed a video message from HE Vu Quang Minh, Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and big fan of the Vietnamazing campaign.
Several speakers provided updates on the other flagship species of the campaign. Here, Lucia Schroeder from Cologne Zoo talking about the activities conducted for the mossy frogs.
In 5 minutes at the end of the plenary, the Vietnamazing team raised 55,000€ to support the campaign projects thanks to 11 generous donors from the audience!
Thursday was a full day of presentations and discussions on conservation, research, animal training, species programmes, EU legislation and more. The delegates then got some fresh air while trying to fit on the group photo outside the Congress Hall!
They were then invited to visit Leipzig Zoo and grab a drink and a delicious dinner inside Gondwanaland!
On Friday 11 October, the Biotech plenary touched on the ethics of cryopreservation. Frank Meijboom, Professor of Sustainable Animal Stewardship, affiliated to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and the Ethics Institute of Utrecht University, discussed how people's perception of animals and zoos changes and what are the few concerns to consider before using cryopreservation.
Ania Brown, Consultant for EAZA, introduced EAZA's Position Statement on the use of cryopreserved materials and biotechnology, that was submitted for approval during the conference.
After a presentation on the Cryopreservation Interest Group by Baptiste Mulot (Veterinarian at Beauval Nature), Andrew Mooney, Senior Conservation & Science Officer at Dublin Zoo, explained how EAZA Members can get involved in the new Cryopreservation Network.
The second part of the conservation plenary also took place on Friday. It was an honour to welcome renowned photographer and regular contributor to National Geographic magazine, Joel Sartore.
With his gorgeous pictures, he walked us through his journey leading to the start of The Photo Ark, a project dedicated to (re)connecting people with nature and raising awareness of the species living around us before they are lost. The photos and videos certainly wow-ed all the delegates in Leipzig.
We are grateful to have such a friendly and passionate ambassador of the work of good zoos and aquariums, like EAZA's.
On Saturday 12, the EAZA Nutrition Group celebrated their 25th anniversary by organising an interesting plenary dedicated to zoo animal nutrition challenges. Marcus Clauss, Researcher and co-director of the Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife at Universität Zürich, talked about the common misconceptions in animal diets.
In addition to the talks from Anouk Fens, Sarah Depauw and Lauren Samet, keynote speaker Marcin Przybylo, Assistant professor at the Department of Animal Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Agriculture in Krakow, showed delegates that natural behaviours are as important as nutrient composition when it comes to designing diets.
Nothing better than a caricatural play to ensure the audience goes home with "food for thoughts".
In the closing plenary, Endre Papp acknowledged our colleagues in Ukraine who are still living under critical conditions and need our help to survive the coming winter.
He concluded the week on a positive note by honoring key figures for their significant contribution to our association and to safeguarding species. We were excited to announce not 1, not 2 but 3 Lifetime Achievement Awards!
Congratulations Stewart Muir (Shaldon Wildlife Trust)!
For over 40 years, from zookeeper to director, Stewart has worked for the welfare of animals and the wellbeing of teams. Small Carnivore TAG Chair for 12 years, he contributed towards capacity building and great achievements for the conservation of a number of small carnivore species. Most notably, starting the Owston’s Civet Conservation Programme, which later became the Small Carnivore Conservation Programme, and then the worldwide known NGO Save Vietnam’s Wildlife (SVW). SVW and EAZA have various links illustrating the One Plan Approach philosophy.
Congratulations Achim Johann (NaturZoo Rheine)!
A species champion throughout his extensive career, with a vast knowledge of birds and primates in particular! Through his active participation in EAZA, Achim has demonstrated time and again what a small to medium sized EAZA zoo can commit if it decides to do so. Founder of the Charadriiformes and Prosimian TAGs, he chaired them for over a decade and for 23 years, respectively! Achim has been the Coordinator for the Gelada baboon EEP for 35 years, served on the EEP Committee (including as Vice Chair and Chair) and EAZA Council. Achim has repeatedly demonstrated the importance of international cooperation and the benefits it brings for species conservation.
Congratulations Thomas Kauffels (Opel-Zoo)!
Director at Opel-Zoo since 1998 with a tireless commitment, Thomas has played a pioneering role in the development of the zoo as well as EAZA. He has been active in a variety of EAZA roles for over two decades including: Coordinator for two programmes, Vice Chair of two TAGs, Chair of the Legislation Committee, member of EAZA Council, and EAZA Chair. He led the Association through the finalisation of the 2013-2016 strategy and development of the next two. During this time, EAZA saw significant growth and achieved its ambitions to be recognised as a leader in all things zoo and aquarium.
Thomas also received Honorary Membership of EAZA for his commitment to the Association.
We would like to thank once again the organising team from Leipzig Zoo, the Krongress Halle and the PCO for the warm welcome and for hosting such a successful event!
A bit shout out as well to the 32 exhibitors, the sponsors and the caterers who allowed us to work hard with our belly full; and to party even harder at the gala dinner.
See you next year in Orientarium Zoo Łódź on 9-13 September!
