Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), Monde Sauvage (Belgium) - © Geert-Emo Drenth
The first goal for the ICZ was to hold an international keeper conference. Having accomplished that in 2003, the SC decided to continue having an international conference every three years. You can find the proceedings of all our past congresses on our resources page.
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4 - 7 October 2003
Alphen aan den Rijn, The Netherlands
The 1st International Congress on Zookeeping was held at Avifauna Bird Park, but the program also included visits to Burgers’ Zoo and Artis. 230 Delegates from 27 different countries attended the conference. -
7 - 11 May 2006
Gold Coast, Australia
The 2nd International Congress on Zookeeping was held at Gold Coast International Hotel, but the program also included visits to Dreamdorld, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Seaworld. 240 Delegates from 24 different countries attended the congress.
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24 - 29 September 2009
Seattle, United States
The 3rd International Congress on Zookeeping was held simultaneously with the 36th AAZK National Conference. The congress was held at the Red Lion Hotel, and included an icebreaker at the Seattle Aquarium and a full day at Woodland Park Zoo. The congress was themed “One World, One Zoo”. Over 400 delegates from 24 different countries attended the congress. -
9 - 13 September 2012
Singapore, Singapore
The 4th International Congress on Zookeeping was hosted by Wildlife Reserves Singapore, which included Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and Jurong Bird Park. The congress was themed “Many Voices, One Calling”. 245 Delegates from 32 different countries attended the congress. -
9 - 13 September 2015
Leipzig, Germany
The 5th International Congress on Zookeeping was hosted by Leipzig Zoo. The congress was themed “Lets Zoocialize”. 215 Delegates from 30 different countries attended the congress. -
14 - 18 October 2018
Buenos Aires, Argentina
The 6th International Congress on Zookeeping was the first bilingual ICZ congress; in both English and Spanish. The congress was hosted by Fundación Temaikèn and themed “Thinking Today – Keeping Tomorrow”. 115 delegates from 26 different countries attended the congress. -
3 - 7 October 2022
Barcelona, Spain
The 7th International Congress on Zookeeping was simultaneously the 8th AICAS congress. and bilingual again; in both English and Spanish. The congress was hosted by Barcelona Zoo and themed “Conserving our future”. 197 delegates from 26 different countries attended the congress. -
11 - 14 February 2025
Wellington, New Zealand
The ICZ is excited to announce the 8th International Congress on Zookeeping. Proudly hosted by Wellington Zoo. We are aiming to bring together keepers from around the world under the theme `Me Tiaki, Kia Ora! (We must look after our environment so all life will flourish)’.Go to our congress page for more information.
The ICZ is excited to announce the 8th International Congress on Zookeeping. Proudly hosted by Wellington Zoo. We are aiming to bring together keepers from around the world under the theme `Me Tiaki, Kia Ora! (We must look after our environment so all life will flourish)’.