American Association of Zoo Veterinarians

09/01/2026

From our Wild Animal Health Fund: AAZV member and zoological medicine resident Dr. Megan Roeder is testing whether a portable A1c device can catch early diabetes risk in Hamadryas baboons. Practical research, funded through WAHF and headed to the AAZV Conference in October.

Happy International Primate Day 🐒🦍🦧

One of the six studies you're funding in 2026: Dr. Megan Roeder is testing whether a portable A1c device can catch early diabetes risk in Hamadryas baboons. Diabetes is hard to manage in primates, and 30% of AZA institutions have reported at least one diabetic primate.

🎥 Hear her explain the work: https://canva.link/9b23sk6xdc27mmw

Since 2012, donors have funded 176 wildlife health projects and $1.92 million in research.

North Carolina Zoo

Photo (c) North Carolina Zoo

08/31/2026

Mark your calendar:

🗓️ 📚 Avian, Reptile, Small Mammal, and Fish Endoscopy online course, October 1 through November 30

🦒 AAZV 58th Conference, October 18 to 23 in Oklahoma City

Full calendar: https://www.aazv.org/events/event_list.asp

08/30/2026

Students, grad students, interns, and vet techs: AAZV trial memberships are 50% off through October 31.

Use code HalfOffStudentMembership at checkout (case sensitive, no spaces). Includes the student rate for October's AAZV Conference, JZWM access, and past proceedings.

https://www.aazv.org/page/HalfOffStudentMembership

08/19/2026

Save the dates! The AAZV 58th Annual Conference is coming to Oklahoma City, October 18-22. If wildlife health matters to you, this is where you'll connect with veterinary professionals advancing the field. Learn more and register: https://bit.ly/4xJ97IT

Advance your zoo and wildlife medicine practice at the 2026 58th Annual Conference! 🩺

From October 18–22, the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV) will hold its annual conference in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, bringing together over 400 zoo and wildlife veterinary professionals from across the country and the globe 🌎

🐾 Hosted by the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, the scientific program is pending American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM) approval for 20+ hours of continuing education.

With lectures, poster presentations, workshops, and networking events in store, the veterinary conference puts the connections of continuing education and colleagues directly in the hands of wild animal health professionals 🐻

View the preliminary schedule, learn more about in-person and on-demand tickets, and register here → https://bit.ly/4xJ97IT ✍️

08/18/2026

Is the AAZV Annual Conference a good fit for veterinary students? The short answer is yes!

The AAZV conference offers ample opportunities for veterinary students to expand their zoological medicine knowledge and network with colleagues. Whether you volunteer to assist workshop instructors, attend the post-graduate training expo, join a discussion at a lunch topic table, or maximize your time in the lecture rooms, you're sure to walk away with a deeper understanding of zoo and wild animal health and relationships that last beyond the conference week.

Plus, AAZV student members receive special conference pricing! Register today to secure your spot in Oklahoma City from October 18–22, 2026.

Learn more and get involved:
- AAZV student memberships → https://www.aazv.org/general/register_member_type.asp?
- 2026 conference registration → https://whova.com/web/7SJ4jEoELQWTxqhPAUZgtObgDciylhv57p2keTm0HLM%3D/

08/16/2026

Stock up on your American Association of Zoo Veterinarians and Wild Animal Health Fund merchandise!

Our temporary online store is now available until September 15. All profits from merchandise sales go directly toward the Wild Animal Health Fund. With multiple options to choose from, showing off your AAZV and WAHF pride while contributing to a meaningful cause is a win-win!

Direct shipping and AAZV conference pick-up options are available. Please note that if you select direct shipping, items will not ship until after the September 15 store closure.

You can visit the online store here → https://inkalleyshirts.chipply.com/AAZV2026/

08/01/2026

Last call—the AAZV awards nomination deadline is today, August 1! We encourage all our members to nominate candidates for three AAZV awards, all of which recognize outstanding contributions, leadership, and impact in the field! Submit your nomination by August 1 to help us celebrate those who make a difference. We will be presenting the winners during the AAZV Conference Awards Breakfast.

07/21/2026

In three short months, AAZV will host its 58th Annual Conference in Oklahoma City, OK. Have you had a chance to reserve your spot?

The program consists of over 20 hours of CE, three incredible keynote presentations, plenty of networking opportunities, and of course, the popular Zoo Day hosted by the Oklahoma City Zoo.

Check out the most up-to-date agenda, learn more about the event, and purchase your ticket here → https://whova.com/web/7SJ4jEoELQWTxqhPAUZgtObgDciylhv57p2keTm0HLM%3D/

We can’t wait to see you there!

07/09/2026

Join us for the next Zoo and Aquarium All Hazards Partnerships (ZAHP) webinar! 🦒

Building Skillsets for Giraffe and Their Caretakers
Wednesday, September 16th • 11AM MST / 2PM EST

Register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_h4psVr5kRrW35F1I7bLXKA #/registration

Presenters Diana Miller, Giraffe Specialist, and Amy Schilz, Director of the International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffe, will explore how building skills in both giraffe and their caretakers leads to safer, healthier lives for these animals.

Learn how foundational behaviors like voluntary participation in husbandry, hoof care, and veterinary procedures work hand in hand with caretaker training in positive reinforcement, hoof health recognition, and emergency response. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for developing these skillsets within their own institutions.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn how investing in both species creates stronger partnerships and better outcomes for giraffe worldwide.

06/26/2026

Today is International Day Against Illegal Wildlife Trafficking 🌎 We applaud the Latin American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums and their regional campaign to halt wildlife trafficking across Latin America.