The American Association of Zoo Keepers Excellence in Animal Nutrition Award is presented by the AAZK Awards Committee. The purpose of this award is to recognize individuals in the zoological community who have been actively involved in projects/studies/research concerning zoo/aquarium nutrition. The AAZK Excellence in Animal Nutrition Award was established in 2005. The award is presented at the annual AAZK National Conference.
Qualifications
The nominee(s) must be a full-time keeper/aquarist in any North American zoological institution or aquarium who has been actively involved in projects/studies/research concerning zoo/aquarium nutrition and is/are Professional member(s) of AAZK.
The AAZK Excellence in Animal Nutrition Award nominee(s) is awarded to a person(s) who has identified a specialized nutritional problem or medical issue with a nutritional component that involves:
- Complete diet revision, or;
- Specialized diet for medical recovery, or;
- Supplemental nutritional additives for medical recovery or breeding, or;
- Specialized nutritional requirements or wasting (adapting to captive diet) in quarantine circumstances, or;
- Unique species Neonatal feeding/assistance.
The nominee(s) shall be able to qualify the dietary revision with statistical data that substantiates the successful outcome:
- Monitoring of dietary intake
- Monitoring of fecal output
- Statistical monitoring of weight gain/loss
- Veterinary oversight
- Publication of research within AAZK or other sources
Nomination Procedure
- List name, position, institution’s name, address, phone and Director.
- List and document keeper/aquarist project initiation and design, research, project involvement, and usage of new nutritional information.
- The deadline for nomination is MAY 1st of each year.
Verification of the nomination requires a signature from the Director/CEO of the facility or their representative.
The Awards Committee, consisting of five keepers, will independently review each nominee.
Download the Excellence in Animal Nutrition Award Nomination Form below: