The programme for the parrot nutrition symposium at Chester Zoo on 21 September, has now been confirmed.
The event aims to deliver the latest knowledge on parrot nutrition and welfare and provide an opportunity to collaborate on education and potential next steps for research.
Keynote talks will be delivered by Lauren Samet (animal nutritionist) and Mark Vercoe (deputy curator of birds) from Chester Zoo.
The zoo was selected as the venue due to its parrot conservation breeding programme working to protect the survival of two endangered species – the Ecuador Amazon parrot and the Phlippine cockatoo.
The full programme and speakers’ list include:
- Parrot Husbandry at Chester Zoo with Lauren Samet and Mark Vercoe
- Forty years of keeping parrots healthy – good nutrition is a major factor with Alan Jones, MRCVS, chairman of The Parrot Society UK
- Poor plumage? Too fat to fly? Clinical parrot nutrition – common problems and solutions with Vicki Baldrey, MRCVS, avian vet and lecturer at Royal Veterinary College
- Parrot food production, from fields to feeding stations with Dr Isabelle Kalmar, DVM, PhD (R&D expert, Versele-Laga Belgium and co-chair of Fediaf Small Pets Working Group
- Pet parrots’ feeding best practice and behavioural enrichment with Tariq Abou-Zahr, DipECZM(Avian), MRCVS, exotic animal veterinary surgeon
Sarah Hormozi, head of science and education at PFMA advises: “We are hoping to make it a worthwhile event, where parrot experts, welfare groups and parrot food industry can share their knowledge and experience.
“Through discussions we will come up with collective decisions and steps forward to improve the health and welfare of parrots that are kept in captivity, especially from a diet and nutrition perspective.”
Who is the event aimed at?
Bird food manufacturers, retailers, avian vets and vet nurses, zookeepers and bird wildlife experts, academics and students, animal welfare organisations and parrot re-homing centres, parrot breeders and specialist groups, interested media, bloggers and influencers interested in pet birds.
A big thanks goes to symposium sponsors Arcadia Bird Lighting and pet insurers, Petcover Group.
Registration includes the symposium attendance, refreshments, lunch, and admission to Chester Zoo. The symposium will run from 09.30-15.00 and the participants will have the opportunity to visit the zoo after the event. For ticket prices and to register, please visit the event page on the PFMA website.
