ENG Workshop on Zoo Animal Nutrition
28-30 January 2027
Ghent University Belgium
Passionate about zoo animal nutrition? Expand your knowledge, boost your career and contribute to better animal welfare and a sustainable future
3 Day Workshop on Zoo Animal Nutrition
Join Us in Ghent!
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The European Zoo Nutrition Group (ENG) is excited to invite you to an inspiring three-day workshop dedicated to Zoo Animal Nutrition. This workshop is specifically designed for zoo professionals who are or will be responsible for diet design and feeding management in zoological collections.
Over the course of these three days, you will learn the basics of diet calculations and design, explore effective monitoring methods, and dive into crucial aspects of feeding management to enhance animal welfare. Additionally, the program will cover practical ways to communicate and successfully manage diet changes within your institution.
The workshop will take place at Ghent University, Belgium, at Campus Ledeganck, conveniently located within walking distance of Ghent’s main train station (Gent-Sint-Pieters). Ghent is easily accessible by direct train connections from Brussels National Airport and several train stations in Brussels, making it a convenient destination for both national and international participants.
The workshop fee is €200, including all three lunches (vegetarian)
Venue: Campus Ledeganck, Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Programme
09:00 - 10:00
Introduction (Historical Perspective)
Clauss
10:00 - 11:00
Nutritional Composition of Feeds incl. Commercial Feeds
Przybyło, Fens, Janssens & Clauss
☕ 11:30 - 12:00 | Coffee Break
12:00 - 13:30
Diet Calculation & Diet Design
Przybyło, Fens, Janssens & Clauss
🍽️ 13:30 - 14:30 | Lunch Break
14:30 - 15:30
Food Choice Rotating Exercises
Janssens, Samet, Przybyło, Fens, Clauss & Chou
15:30 - 16:30
Seasonal Intake Patterns & the Importance of Ad Lib Feeding
Clauss
☕ 16:30 - 17:00 | Coffee Break
17:00 - 18:30
Body Condition Scoring
Chou
09:00 - 10:00
Forced Variety
Byrne
10:00 - 11:00
Feeding Aquatic Species
Hunt
☕ 11:30 - 12:00 | Coffee Break
12:00 - 13:30
Animal Food Safety
Chou
🍽️ 13:30 - 14:30 | Lunch Break
14:30 - 15:30
Carnivore Natural Feeding
Horowitz
15:30 - 16:30
Developing Feeding Systems
Horowitz, Fens & Clauss
☕ 16:30 - 17:00 | Coffee Break
17:00 - 18:30
Feeding Towards Positive Welfare
Depauw
09:00 - 10:00
Educating Zoo Staff
Huisman
10:00 - 11:00
Educating Zoo Staff
Huisman
☕ 11:30 - 12:00 | Coffee Break
12:00 - 13:30
Making Changes
Samet
🍽️ 13:30 - 14:30 | Lunch Break
14:30 - 15:30
Commissary Management
Fens
15:30 - 16:30
Bird Nutrition
Clauss, Samet & Byrne
☕ 16:30 - 17:00 | Coffee Break
17:00 - 18:30
Diet Changes Actually Made: Success Stories
All Tutors
Travel & Accommodation
Hotels
Public Transport
Dining in Ghent
Ghent has a beautiful and lively city centre, so we highly recommend staying in the heart of Ghent and enjoying the city’s atmosphere in the evening. The workshop venue is very easy to reach by public transport from the city centre. Staying near Ghent-Sint-Pieters railway station is also a convenient option, with public transport connections to the workshop venue.
Ghent has an extensive and convenient network of buses and trams, making it easy to travel around the city and reach the workshop venue. For more information about tickets, routes and the De Lijn app, please visit the official Visit Gent website.
Prefer to cycle? Rent a bike and explore Ghent easily by bike.
Ghent has plenty of great places to eat but reservations are recommended. Here are a few personal tips from a local!