Practical Zoo Nutrition Management
- Commissary design, operations, and management
- Nutrient and energy metabolism of zoo and wild animals
- Practical principles of feeding a wide variety of animals across all taxa
- Diet formulation and evaluation
- Problem-solving strategies to apply to your operation
- How to develop a comprehensive clinical diet plan for an animal/species at your own institution
This course will be most relevant for:
- Nutrition/animal science graduate students
- Zoo keepers and curators
- Commissary managers
- Nutritionists
- Veterinarians
- Professionals with some previous background/experience in nutrition
- Dates
April 28-May 2, 2025
- Available Formats
Professional Training (SMSC 0523, 3.75 CEUs)
- Total Cost
Professional Training: $1,967.36*
*Professionals from certain countries are eligible for a reduced rate of $1,400.86 which will automatically be reflected during the registration process.
- Deadlines
Apply by February 19, 2025 for first consideration
Payment due by March 4, 2025
Meet the Faculty
Curriculum
Making nutritional decisions for a wide range of species and overseeing the daily management of food purchase, storage, and preparation is complex and demanding. Through a combination of class/lecture information and applied experiential learning, the course will focus on three main aspects of nutrition program management: clinical nutrition, commissary management, and applied thinking/philosophy. It is designed to share successful nutrition philosophies, sound science, and proven management approaches.
A full day will be spent at the National Zoo in Washington, DC, and will include behind-the-scenes tours of the commissary operation, elephants, and big cats. Field trips around SCBI’s Front Royal campus, where 21 species of endangered/threatened mammals and birds are managed, will also be included as part of the out-of-classroom learning experience.
What’s Included
Acceptance does not guarantee you a seat in the course. Seats are allocated as registration payments are received, and early registration is strongly encouraged to ensure you get a spot.
The total cost includes our Housing and Dining Package ($525.36) and covers:
- Registration fees
- Instruction, course manual, and other course materials
- Airport pick-up and drop-off shuttle service at Dulles International Airport (IAD) at specific pre-arranged times. We do not provide ground transportation shuttle service to or from any other airports in the Washington, DC, region.
- Transportation for course activities
- Daily full-service buffet at the SMSC Dining Commons
- Housing at the SMSC Residential Facility, including a shared room with bathroom (single rooms available at extra cost)
Interested in Commuting?
Participants with a documented, permanent address local to campus may elect to commute with permission from SMSC. Commuters may waive the housing and dining package but are required to purchase a reduced meal plan ($72.50) which includes lunch and snack breaks for each day of instruction. Additional dining options are available and may be selected during registration. Email SCBItraining@si.edu for additional information.
“The fog has lifted. I feel that I can go back to my zoo and make scientific based and informed changes to diets and know that I am meeting the nutritional needs of a species.”
“For any zoo professionals out there who want to up their game in providing excellent care and nutritional management of their collections and facilities, I don’t think you’ll find a more information-packed educational opportunity out there than is available in this program.”
