American Association of Zoo Veterinarians

07/01/2025

🦁🐢🦩 Happy American Zoo Day! 🐘🐟🦒

Today we celebrate the powerful role zoos and aquariums play in protecting wildlife and connecting people with the natural world.

🔬 Conservation Science – From endangered species breeding programs to wildlife disease research, zoos are hubs of innovation that help protect animals in the wild and in human care.

📚 Education – Every visit to a zoo is an opportunity to inspire curiosity, compassion, and a lifelong commitment to animals and the environment. Zoo professionals help turn awe into action.

🌱 Preservation of Biodiversity – Whether it’s restoring habitats, responding to oil spills and disease outbreaks, or safeguarding genetic diversity, zoos are on the frontlines of protecting the most vulnerable species.

💙 Join us in recognizing and celebrating the dedication, compassion, and science that fuel America’s zoos. Together, we're building a future where wildlife and wild places can thrive.

06/25/2025

🌟 Do you know a colleague who exemplifies excellence?

Nominations are now open for all AAZV awards, recognizing outstanding contributions, leadership, and impact in the field.

🗓️ Submit your nomination by July 1, 2025 to help us celebrate those who make a difference.

🏆 https://www.aazv.org/page/A7

06/16/2025

Can't wait for zoo day at the annual conference? Join us on Thursday of the conference at the Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium! Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium

06/12/2025

Interested in helping sponsor the AAZV annual conference? Check out the opportunities!

06/09/2025

Getting excited about the AAZV annual conference? The Icebreaker is at Kansas City Union Station! Early registration due July 26. City Zoo & Aquarium

06/05/2025

Registration is open for the annual conference! July 26 is the deadline for early registration! See you in Kansas City! City Zoo & Aquarium

05/23/2025

Today is World Turtle Day, and we are celebrating a recent success story - the release of 25 sea turtles by the Houston Zoo after rehabilitation! Our members make a difference for turtle and tortoises around the planet. What is your favorite chelonian species? 🐢

https://www.houstonzoo.org/blog/its-a-shell-abration/

You play a crucial role in the success of Houston Zoo's education and animal care programs, global field projects, and local conservation initiatives through your donations.

05/20/2025

AAZV members were at the EAZWV Conference last week in Gyor! Thanks for representing us well internationally!

05/16/2025

Today is Endangered Species Day - a day to celebrate the work we do to save endangered animal species around the world.

In the United States, the Endangered Species Act was passed in 1973 to conserve threatened species and, importantly, the habitats that they rely on for their survival.

Check out the exciting work that the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is doing to study endangered black-footed ferrets and aid in their recovery in the wild.

https://nationalzoo.si.edu/news/innovative-technology-aims-boost-black-footed-ferret-recovery-efforts

Tiny tracking devices are being used by researchers to monitor the behavior and movements of black-footed ferrets that were reintroduced into the wild.

05/13/2025

Please join us on Tuesday, May 20th at 3:30pm ET for this webinar focused on mental health and wellbeing for zoo and aquarium staff. This session will feature a presentation from Dr. Beth Nolan, followed by a Q&A discussion moderated by Domini Montgomery, Chair of the AZA Safety Committee’s Mental Health Subcommittee. This webinar will be recorded.

Staff wellbeing programs at zoos and aquaria are critical for staff support, retention, operational and animal care continuity, and protection to the business. External partnerships are both available and needed to comprehensively address the unique challenges that animal caretakers face, from crisis situations to longer term conditions, like compassion fatigue and burnout. This presentation will outline some of those resources, including GRAZE and Mental Health First Aid programs, as well as strategies facilities and organizations can take to better address staff wellbeing in zoos and aquaria.

Critical Partnerships in Staff Wellbeing Programs Webinar
Tuesday, May 20th 3:30 - 4:30 PM ET

Click here to register: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/6517467440543/WN_L7_oVv-BT5yNub2CYkUX1w #/registration

This session is presented by the Zoo and Aquarium All Hazards Partnership (ZAHP) in collaboration with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Safety Committee’s Mental Health Subcommittee as part of the ongoing Topics in Zoo Safety webinar series. ZAHP is a program of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV).

05/12/2025

We're not horsing around - registration for AAZV's 57th annual conference is now open! Register before July 26th for the best rates!

https://whova.com/web/1LQHLiOTctQ2awCafFl96%40EyKL%40gL4I3Yx5zE7ZMg2k%3D/

04/30/2025

Last week, members of the AAZV executive committee, invited association members, and executive office staff met in Kansas City for a two-day strategic planning meeting. It was an incredibly productive session filled with in-depth discussions on ideas to continue our great work over the next few years.

We’re excited about the direction the AAZV is heading and look forward to sharing the results with our members once the final strategic planning document is completed.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in this important meeting—and to all our members. Your passion and commitment are what make our work possible.