Animals & science
Stories
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A PEEK BEHIND THE SCENES IN THE ZOO KITCHEN: HEALTHY NUTRITION FOR A HEALTHY ANIMAL LIFE
A healthy diet is of tremendous importance to both humans and animals. Nutritionists and other specialists are gaining increasingly more knowledge about nutrition and its effects on our bodies. The past few decades were marked by a growing understanding among the scientific community that an animal’s diet should not only provide for its nutritional needs, but should also stimulate its natural behaviour.
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Hoofing it: poster about okapis wins first prize
Our scientists can justly be proud of themselves: their research was highly acclaimed at the Wildlife Research and Conservation (WRC) 2023 conference in Berlin. The scientifically founded infographic by master’s degree student João Pedro Meireles on aggressive behaviour among male okapis during mating introductions won first prize in the poster competition. Through this poster, he is putting the expertise of Antwerp ZOO in the spotlights in a visually attractive manner.
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A ‘first’ at Antwerp ZOO: Never before performed knee surgery provides an okapi with a pain-free future
Antwerp ZOO’s smallest okapi is once again putting his best foot forward after a serious knee operation. The operation was an absolute first, as this surgical procedure has never been applied to an okapi before. The animal suffered from knee problems ever since it was born, which would have a negative impact on its mobility and general quality of life in the long term.
Upcoming events
ZOO Research Symposium 2023
On the 1st of December the Antwerp ZOO Centre for Research and Conservation (CRC) will organise their 16th annual ZOO Research Symposium in Antwerp ZOO.
Blog
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Swipe right to match the stripes
Put an okapi male and female together, wait a while and before you know it they have a calf, right? Well, if only it were that simple. Sometimes things don't go as we expect when it comes to breeding with zoo animals. Oftentimes that is because we do not take into account that animals need to actually get to know their future partner.
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Slim bonobos have slim parents
“You are what you eat!” is a common saying. Still, some people can eat whatever they want, while for others, the scale will go up after eating a single cookie. Why does this happen? A lot of it has to do with what you eat and how often you exercise, but there is more to it: you can also have a genetic predisposition to be over- or underweight. And in bonobos, new research shows this is also the case.
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A Window into Barbie’s World: Zoo Animal Welfare indicators
Is giraffe Barbie in ZOO Planckendael using her tongue to eat her food? Is she later spending time ruminating? Is she laying down or standing up when she ruminates? All these behaviours are indicators that we can monitor to assess Barbie’s welfare. Is Barbie’s coat shiny? How is her body condition? Does she have a runny nose? These characteristics on Barbie’s physical appearance are welfare indicators as well.
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ZOO Science (English)
It’s finally raining in Kenya! ️💦 The Grevy’s zebras have been suffering from the effects of an unprecedented drought. Thanks to financial support offered by Planckendael ZOO, these zebras have now been saved from a horrible fate. Read more on https://t.co/tq8utneTSx! https://t.co/6fMrbD3PrJ
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ZOO Science (English)
From the lab to the blue carpet: our Biobank fascinates the audience of the In Science Filmfestival! 👌 Two of our own experts enthusiastically joined the panel following the viewing of a documentary on the San Diego Zoo’s Frozen Zoo. Curious? Read more at https://t.co/qtNDGfyXpf https://t.co/q5zcNnPyXG
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ZOO Science (English)
Fascinating news for science lovers! 📚 EAZA has launched a brand-new digital library in which all academic publications about and by zoos and aquariums can be found. You too can consult these documents! Read more about this ambitious project! https://t.co/FIMolZK9Rc