Brno, 5 October 2025 – The 25th anniversary seminar “Exotic, Wildlife, and Zoo Animals” was held at the Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) in Brno during the first weekend of October. The event is customarily organized by the Czech Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians (CAZWV), and this year, it was held in collaboration with VRI in Brno. This year’s seminar carried the subtitle “Don’t Be Afraid of Science” and attracted dozens of specialists from diagnostic laboratories, zoological gardens, and veterinary practices from the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
The programme was opened by the Institute’s director, Doc. MVDr. Martin Faldyna, Ph.D., who highlighted 70 years of VRI’s history and its contributions to veterinary research and clinical practice.
This was followed by a series of expert lectures offering a diverse overview of current topics – from cytogenetic examinations of zoo animals and the diagnosis of helminth infections and intoxications to case studies of rare clinical cases.
The association’s president, Professor Zdeněk Knotek, in his presentation “The Layperson Is Surprised, the Scientist Is Amazed,” insightfully and humorously reminded the audience that scientific perspective and everyday practice can go hand in hand, and that honesty is the basis of publication ethics.
“The atmosphere of this year’s seminar was particularly friendly and inspiring. After years in which experts mostly met online, it was clear how much they value in-person meetings. VRI provided the ideal setting, and I am pleased that the seminar’s tradition continues to develop right here,” said Professor Zdeněk Knotek, the event’s main organiser.
The afternoon session featured noteworthy case studies from zoological gardens – for example, gastric ulcers in Malayan tapirs, avian pox infections in Recurvirostridae, and the treatment of a beak fracture in a magpie goose. The closing report on the direct involvement of association member Dr. Lukáš Pavlačík in the rescue of a forest elephant under field conditions in the Congo rainforest, received great acclaim. The discussions showed that linking clinical practice with scientific research is key to the successful treatment of rare and exotic species.
The full-day Saturday seminar was followed by a Sunday tour of the VRI laboratories, where participants had the opportunity to become familiar with state-of-the-art laboratory equipment, modern diagnostic methods, and the Institute’s research facilities.
“It’s wonderful to see the veterinary community staying united – from students to experienced professionals. Sharing experiences across disciplines advances both our knowledge and animal care,” added one of the participants.
The 25th anniversary session confirmed that the seminar “Exotic, Wildlife, and Zoo Animals” is not only a professional highlight but also a social highlight of the year for everyone involved in the protection and health of wildlife, zoo animals, and exotic species.
