The ASZK is pleased to announce that we will be running a Webinar hosted by Matthew Shackleton BSc (Hons) PGCert MScVetPhys MIRVAP(VP).

Matthew has a Master’s degree in Veterinary Physiotherapy from the University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, where he now works part-time as a Teaching Associate. Matthew has a background in zoo-keeping and teaching zoo sciences.

The webinar aims to highlight the prevalence of musculoskeletal and neurological disease in captivity, and what environmental and/or management aspects can be causal factors or contribute to an animal’s deterioration over time.

This presentation will cover the importance of a multi-modal approach to the treatment and management of neurological and MSK pathology, as well as covering contemporary research in veterinary science.

When: Wednesday 13 November 6 pm Sydney/Melbourne Time

Cost: $40/per person members $60/person non-members

How: Details for joining the webinar via Zoom will be sent to attendees prior to the event.

Register Here

The ASZK is inviting members to apply for our annual Keeper Development scholarship named in honour of the late Des Spittall, a life member of ASZK. The $AUD2,500 scholarship has been established to support the professional development of zoo keepers in the Australasian region and is proudly sponsored by Safe4. For more details and application form click Here.

 

 

 

Join us this year for our Bugs Alive Conference!!

November 28th – December 1st 2024

Kuranda, Far North Queensland, Australia

Join us in the Wet Tropics of Far North Queensland to share techniques, projects and ideas about invertebrate husbandry, display, education and conservation. Participants will have a chance to explore the rainforests, facilitate or participate in workshops and presentations, and visit FNQ invertebrate facilities.

Dates: 

November 28^th (Thursday) From 5pm: Evening icebreaker and supper. Field collection techniques, photography and observation of wild invertebrates in the Wet Tropics.

November 29^th  (Friday)  9am – 5pm: Information and practical sessions, facility tours. Optional group dinner and evening field work

November 30^th  (Saturday) 9am – 5pm: Papers and workshops. Evening group field trip

December 1^st  (Sunday) 9am – 3.30pm: Papers and workshops

Registration fees: $550 (ASZK members), $640 (non-members)

Included are morning teas/afternoon

teas and icebreaker drinks/nibbles

 

Call for Papers

You are invited to submit an abstract to present a paper, poster or workshop related to invertebrate husbandry, display, education or conservation project.

Abstracts should be no longer than 600 words in MS Word format. Presentations for papers and posters are 15 minutes in duration. Workshops proposals will be assessed on a case by case basis.

The abstract should include –

The paper, poster or workshop title

Presenters name, title and a short biography with a photo (attached separately)

Presenters institution

Presenters email address

A complete copy of the presentation paper suitable for publication (in Word format) must be submitted at the conference. Please ensure graphics are submitted as separate graphics files (eg. jpeg, tiff) and are of the highest possible quality.

Full presentation papers will be published in upcoming issues of ASZK’s “Thylacinus”.

CALL FOR PAPERS CLOSING ON THE 15/09/2024!!

Where to join?

Registration information/payment and event details are all here:

Register Here!

Bookings www.aszk.org.au and enquiries to eo@aszk.org.au

Program and content enquiries to info@minibeastwildlife.com.au

Registrations close on the 30th of September!!

 

Other information: 

Accommodation

Accommodation options in Kuranda are limited and consist of Airbnb properties and various other options here. Many more options are available along the Cairns Northern Beaches region about 30 minutes away.

Transport

Your own transport may be required to get to and from the conference venue depending where your accommodation is. While some of the local accommodation options are within walking distance, those staying further out and down at the coast will require private transport. Registered delegates will be able to express interest in car pooling with other delegates prior to the event.

Thanks and hope to see you all in Kuranda!

ASZK would like to welcome the ZWVNA as a subcommittee.  ZWVNA has recently come together formally under ASZK to provide Zoo and Wildlife Nurses across Australasia with a community that we can all be a part of, encompassing continuing education, networking and allowing us to have a voice within the wider veterinary nursing Industry.

Mission Statement Goals and Objectives

The Zoo and Wildlife Veterinary Nurses of Australasia was established by likeminded veterinary nurses who are dedicated in their profession of zoo and wildlife animal medicine.

“Our aim is to support, promote and enhance this unique field of Veterinary Nursing by linking members who work in veterinary teams, hospitals and clinics that engage in zoo and wildlife veterinary medicine. We aim to provide a networking platform to enhance quality resourcing and education in the discipline of zoo and wildlife veterinary nursing and promote best practice in animal health and wellbeing.”

Our members will include vet nurses working within 1) well-established standalone zoo veterinary hospitals at our larger zoos; 2) dedicated Australasian Wildlife / rehabilitation clinics; 3) mixed practice but have a zoo or wildlife park as a major client; and 4) veterinary teams involved in wildlife conservation research; wildlife emergency response; wildlife rehabilitation and /or rewilding field work projects.

The Zoo and Wildlife Veterinary Nurses of Australasia will:

• Encourage the recognition and importance of the veterinary nurses’ role in zoo and wildlife veterinary medicine, scientific study, and conservation.
• Facilitate the exchange of information and networking between our members to help promote, support, and maintain the highest standards of zoo and wildlife veterinary nursing.
• Provide a forum for the presentation and exchange of information, challenges, and methodology encountered in the field of zoo and wildlife veterinary nursing through an email members list and annual conference.
• Promote and encourage professional education whilst prioritizing animal health and welfare.

The ZWVNA has united with the Australasian Society of Zoo Keeping (ASKZ) to form a subcommittee under their banner.  As members of ASZK/ZWVNA we will have all the benefits of an affiliated association and be given a dedicated platform to work towards achieving our goals.

Check out our ‘get to know you’ page of all our dedicated committee members below!

Meet our sub-committee!

Please check out the information below regarding our membership requirements!

ZWVNA Membership (3)

 

 

 

UPCOMING CONFERENCE 2024 – ZOOS VICTORIA

ATTENTION NURSES

ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS CLOSED

2024 Conference

18^th – 20^th October 2024

Zoos Victoria – Melbourne

“Excellence in Zoo and Wildlife Nursing”

ABOUT EVENT

The ZWVNA committee are pleased to announce the dates of the upcoming 2024 conference.

Friday 18^th October – Melbourne Zoo, full day

Saturday 19^th October – Healesville sanctuary, full day (return bus provided from Melbourne Zoo)

Sunday 20^th October – optional half day add on tour to Werribee Zoo including hospital tour (return bus provided from Melbourne Zoo)

More information to follow – for any immediate enquiries, contact jkingston@zoo.org.au or gross@zoo.org.au

Check out some highlights from our first (and very successful) conference at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo NSW.

CONFERENCE 2023 – ZWVNA

 

 

The final Conference Program can be found Here and abstracts for the papers can be found Here.

 

Can’t wait to see you in Perth.

Calling all French speaking keepers – our French counterparts AFSA recently published a couple of ASZK articles in their newsletter. Click the link below to read.

AFSA Newsletter

 

 

Click Here to check out the draft program for our upcoming conference.

 

 

 

The ASZK is seeking applications from financial ASZK members who would like to attend the 2024 ASZK conference and need some financial assistance. The scholarships will cover conference registration fees only.
Please send an application outlining why you would like to attend the ASZK conference and how this will assist your career in the industry with your name and contact details.

Applications close 28 March 2024

Email your application to eo@aszk.org.au

The ASZK would like to advise it’s members that they will be holding their Annual General Meeting at the 2024 Conference in Perth, Western Australia on Saturday 25th May 2024.

 

Members can find Minutes from the 2023 AGM Here

The 2024 Agenda can be found Here

If you are unable to attend the AGM but are a Full Member that would like to Vote on matters arising in the meeting a Proxy Voting form can be downloaded Here and should be sent to the Secretary at secretary@aszk.org.au by COB Friday 24th May 2024.

 

Fancy yourself as a bit of an aspiring wildlife photographer? Or have you simply found yourself in the right place at the right time to snap some of your favourite animals pulling a funny face?

How would you like to see your very own shots on the front cover of the Thylacinus for all ASZK members to see?

 

It’s simple, the competition is open to anyone, so feel free to share with your friends. Here is all you need to know to get started…

 

Rules

Categories are ‘ARTISTIC ANIMAL SHOT’, ‘ANIMALS IN THE WILD’, ‘ACTION/BEHAVIOUR SHOT’, and ‘FUNNY ANIMAL MOMENTS’.

You can submit as many entries as you like.

 

Competition opens January 22^nd 2024 and all photos must be submitted no later than the 17^th March 2024.

All photos must be in JPEG format and must be accompanied with a signed Photo Release Form. Download  release HERE

Send all entries to photocomp@aszk.org.au ensuring the following is included:

• Your name
• Your institution and/or address
• Title/caption of the shot/any notable details about the photo, animals in the shot.
• The category you feel your photo best suits
• Cite ‘ASZK Photo Comp’ in the subject line.
• Signed Release Form

 

Judging and Prizes

The ASZK committee will pick the two best photos in each category to show off at the annual conference, which will be held in Perth, WA in May.

Conference delegates then select their favourites! Best of each category will be displayed on the front cover of Thylacinus – the quarterly journal of the ASZK covering interesting updates in zookeeping from across the region. *some landscape photos may not be suitable.

The People’s Choice (best of all categories) will earn its photographer honorary ASZK membership for a year!

Prints of the finalists may be auctioned off at the conference to assist with the Society’s ongoing objective of supporting the professional development of keepers in our region.

So get snapping, and let your photography earn you membership! Be sure to check Facebook to see some of the entries. And make sure you get to Perth in May to take part in the judging!­­