Научно-практическая конференция «Актуальные вопросы ветеринарии зоопарковых животных»

1. General information
On September 8 through 11, Leningrad Zoo hosted a scientific and practical conference on topical issues of zoo animal veterinary medicine. The event attracted participants from various regions of Russia, as well as specialists from Kazakhstan and Belarus. Representatives from 40 organizations took part in the conference, with the total number of participants exceeding 70.

2. Scientific program
Scientific presentations related to various aspects of veterinary medicine were delivered over the course of four days. The presentations covered all classes of animals, which allowed each specialist to find a topic of interest.

This year, the organizers expanded the participation format. The audience and speakers included not only veterinarians from zoos and oceanariums but also researchers from a number of leading research institutes including the Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Pasteur Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology (St. Petersburg), Center for Parasitology of the Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), Pavlov Institute of Physiology of RAS, and Zoological Institute of RAS. Presentations by researchers offered a new perspective on the issue of diseases in wild animals. All the noted research institutes work in close cooperation with the Leningrad Zoo’s veterinary department, which facilitate the expansion and deepening of new information. Not all of them are directly involved in medicine, but their fundamental knowledge of the natural world proved to be no less valuable to the specialists. Colleagues from leading specialized universities of Saint Petersburg (St. Petersburg State University of Veterinary Medicine and St. Petersburg State Agrarian University) also took an active part in the conference; their specialists gave presentations on current issues of clinical veterinary medicine.

3. Practical sessions and master classes
The conference program included a workshop on laboratory diagnostics that was held by our partners – distributers of veterinary equipment. Participants were shown the operation of modern haematological and optical instruments and the potential of their use by zoo laboratories.

4. Cultural program
Following the conference, a tour was organized for the participants as part of the collaboration with the St. Petersburg State University of Veterinary Medicine. Conference participants visited the Museum of the Department of Animal Anatomy, displaying over 2,500 unique specimens including rare native preparations of cardiovascular systems. Such a collection is unparalleled in terms of quality and size among veterinary and agricultural higher education institutions in Russia and abroad. Besides, participants of the conference were given a tour to the Museum of the Department of Pathological Anatomy and Forensic Veterinary Medicine, which has the largest collection of veterinary pathology and animal specimens in Russia and Europe, featuring thousands of wet and dry pathoanatomical specimens, stuffed animals and animal skeletons.

5. Conclusion
The conference proved to be effective as a platform for the exchange of experience. The event enabled veterinary specialists to gain new information, strengthen professional connections, and discuss pressing issues, ultimately contributing to the advancement and development of zoo animal veterinary medicine in Russia. The Leningrad Zoo proposes hosting similar annual veterinary conferences to enable zoo veterinarians to exchange experience and explore cutting-edge technologies and scientific discoveries. Optimal timing: from the second ten-day period of September to early October.