The EAZA Nutrition Group (ENG), reporting to the Research Committee, seeks to improve communication and coordination among all those engaged in research, education, or application of comparative (zoo) nutrition, and those requiring nutrition information, chiefly within zoological institutions of Europe. The EAZA Nutrition Group organizes biennial conferences on zoo animal nutrition that are open to anyone interested in comparative and zoo animal nutrition.

The mission statement of the ENG is to promote and support nutrition in zoological institutions as an essential component of their conservation mission. 

EZNC23

The previous European Zoo Nutrition Conference was hosted by Riga Zoo (Latvia), from 19 to 22 January 2023. The programme booklet can be found here.

EZNC21

From 28-29 January, 2021 the 11th European Zoo Nutrition Conference was hosted virtually over Zoom due to the ongoing complications with travel and gatherings caused by the Corona virus pandemic. This was the first time this biennial conference was hosted online, and it meant that approximately 570 delegates from over 40 countries across the globe could attend making it one of the most successful meetings ever. Delegates consisted of zoo nutritionists, veterinarians, researchers, curators, animal keepers, other zoo staff and higher education students as well as private individuals. The recorded sessions from the 2021 online conference can be found here.

ENG Working Group Members

The ENG working group membership is for those that are active in the field of animal nutrition i.e., have animal nutrition-based qualifications or training and/or experience (e.g., post graduate degree in animal nutrition) and expertise in zoo animal nutrition and research (research must be ethical and of a high scientific quality). Working group members must have demonstrated an interest and commitment to zoo animal or wildlife nutrition for a proportion of their career, have time availability to participate in working group activities (e.g., meetings, advisory roles etc.) and vote on group steering decisions, ideally regularly attending annual meetings and biennial conferences also. Working Group Member applicants should preferably have an active knowledge of animal nutrition science, both theoretical and applied, and be able to effectively disseminate evidence-based animal nutrition research; supporting up to date animal nutrition and welfare best-practice within the EAZA community and the wider zoo community. Working Group Members ideally represent expertise across a range of subject areas to form a multi-disciplined team and thereby a holistic approach to best practice in zoo animal nutrition (these might include clinical nutrition, feed formulation/manufacture, food composition, hand-rearing and infant diets, nutrient metabolism, availability and requirements, or taxon-specific nutrition, but are not exclusive).

Interested parties can submit an application of interest by sending a completed a Membership form and a cover letter of application/motivation detailing your expertise and experience in zoo animal nutrition (and research), alongside mention of your intentions to join the ENG. Email your application to Lauren Florisson putting 'ENG Membership' in the subject line. Applications are then voted in on agreement by majority from all Working Group members.

ENG Network Members

This membership type is open to all individuals who support the aims of the ENG and have demonstrated interest and commitment to zoo animal or wildlife nutrition, regardless of training or expertise. Preferably you will have a keen interest in animal nutrition science, and support animal nutrition best practice within the EAZA community and the wider zoo community. ENG Network membership offers less time commitment and responsibility than the Working Group membership so may also be suitable for those that wish to be a member of the ENG but do not have the time to commit to full working group membership responsibilities (e.g. voting, advisory roles, committee volunteer). Additionally, the ENG Network has the advantage of a Google Group members area where members can ask questions, get advice, share resources, and develop their knowledge further. The ENG Network also allows a route into the ENG whilst individuals are still developing their knowledge, skills and expertise in the field of animal nutrition, with the possibility of applying for ENG Working Group Membership once these membership criteria are fulfilled. ENG Network members may have more niche expertise across zoological subject areas, allowing for a holistic approach to nutrition including (but not exclusively) animal keeping, veterinary practice, welfare and behaviour science, commercial feed or feeding related manufacturer, TAGS, EEPS, ESBs. Candidates can submit an application to  Lauren Florisson by filling in the Membership form.

Join the ENG Community

The EAZA European Nutrition Group is also active on Facebook, why not join the community by visiting the page and following @EAZAnutrition to keep up to date with the latest zoo animal nutrition news and research.

Read a special nutrition edition from the EAZA Nutrition Group, including the following articles based on the presentations given at the last EAZA Zoo Nutrition Conference, which took place in Marwell in January 2019.

Download your copy, or flip through the pages by clicking here

Articles based on the presentations given at the EAZA Zoo Nutrition Conference in 2017, which took place in Liberec, Czech Republic. 

Download your copy, or flip through the pages by clicking here