THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

JAMNAGAR, OCTOBER 29, 2026

Wildlife experts, scientists, veterinarians and conservation leaders from 98 institutions across 30 countries, along with representatives of 29 Indian zoological institutions, have gathered in Jamnagar for the Eurasian Regional Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EARAZA) Annual Conference 2026, hosted by Vantara.

Held from October 26 to 29 under the theme “Strengthening Global Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation”, the conference seeks to strengthen international collaboration, facilitate data sharing and align conservation programmes to improve wildlife care, research and animal welfare across regions.

The gathering brings together professionals from across the world to exchange scientific knowledge, share field experiences and develop collaborative approaches to challenges ranging from species conservation and veterinary care to disaster preparedness, biodiversity protection and public engagement.

The inaugural ceremony featured a performance by three-time Grammy Award-winning composer and environmentalist Ricky Kej, followed by the traditional lighting of the lamp by EARAZA President Svetlana Akulova, Indian Institute of Science professor Raman Sukumar and Central Zoo Authority (CZA) Member Secretary V. Clement Ben.

Welcoming the delegates, Vantara Chief Executive Officer Vivaan Karani announced that the ANTZ Software Platform would be provided free of cost to all EARAZA members for one year.

ANTZ is a secure, cloud-based platform designed to support the management of zoological institutions. Its Open Data Exchange facility enables participating institutions to share information, potentially strengthening coordinated decision-making and collaborative conservation efforts.

 “Vantara means the Star of the Forest. But a single star cannot illuminate the entire sky. It takes a constellation,” Karani said, emphasising that the conference was an opportunity not only to share the host institution's work but also to learn from others and support their initiatives.

 “When one institution advances, it should create opportunities for others to advance with it,” he said.

Akulova said conservation could no longer be confined by national boundaries, stressing that the sharing of data, expertise and responsibility could make individual programmes more effective.

The conference, she said, aims to transform an international network of zoological institutions into a stronger and more integrated partnership.

Sukumar, an Asian elephant ecologist and honorary professor at the Indian Institute of Science, highlighted the importance of long-term scientific research, knowledge sharing and adaptive approaches to conservation.

 “Elephants have taught me that conservation is a long journey,” he said, adding that it was encouraging to see the global community come together in India, which is home to most of the world's Asian elephants.

Clement Ben said zoological institutions played an important role in conservation, research and public education, adding that such gatherings helped improve animal welfare standards and strengthen cooperation across regions.

The conference programme covers a broad spectrum of wildlife conservation initiatives, including international species-management programmes for the Amur tiger, Oriental stork, Blakiston's eagle-owl and great bustard.

Participants are also discussing specialised conservation efforts involving Boiga snakes and the reintroduction of the long-eared hedgehog, reflecting the diversity of species and habitats that require coordinated interventions.

Akulova has outlined a vision for a global biodiversity data infrastructure that would enable information and lessons generated by individual institutions to inform conservation decisions elsewhere.

Beyond species-specific programmes, sessions are examining animal-welfare assessment based on individual outcomes, emergency preparedness in animal-care facilities, disaster response in the wild and the development of veterinary capacity across regions.

Padma Shri awardee Dr K. K. Sarma, widely known as the Elephant Doctor of Asia, is sharing field experience in managing human-wildlife conflict. Moscow Zoo's chief veterinary officer is discussing polar bear rescue operations in subarctic conditions, while wildlife biologist and television presenter Forrest Galante is exploring the role of mass media in taking conservation messages to wider audiences.

Other sessions focus on urban biodiversity, citizen science, wildlife diagnostics, nutrition and the changing visitor experience at zoological institutions. EARAZA members are also holding a voting session to determine the association's priorities and direction for the coming year.

The conference has introduced interactive initiatives to encourage open discussions on issues confronting the zoological and conservation sectors.

The Elephant in the Room video booth invites participants to respond to difficult questions, including whether zoos will continue to exist in 50 years and whether greater transparency would strengthen or undermine public trust. The initiative aims to build a shared repository of professional perspectives on the future of wildlife care.

The Solution Station allows delegates to submit practical challenges relating to animal care and conservation, including rescue operations, genetics, biosecurity and welfare, for expert guidance.

Through Innovation in Action, participants can showcase solutions that have delivered tangible results in their respective institutions, encouraging the exchange of approaches that could be adapted elsewhere.

The accompanying exhibition features 13 exhibitors from seven countries under the theme “Explore. Connect. Discover.”

The participating organisations are showcasing technologies and services spanning endoscopy and minimally invasive veterinary procedures, diagnostics, genomics, molecular tools, artificial-intelligence-driven microscopy, assisted reproduction for conservation breeding, avian incubation and remote drug delivery.

Among the exhibitors are Karl Storz, IDEXX, Inventa Systems, SigTuple, IMV Imaging, Grumbach and Daninject. Tribes India is presenting traditional tribal art, textiles and handicrafts, adding a cultural dimension to the event.

Vantara's exhibition pavilions highlight developments in wildlife-care technology, nutrition, architecture and innovation, alongside a virtual-reality experience offering visitors a glimpse into its operations.

New tools associated with the ANTZ platform include Vespr, an edge-AI-based bioacoustic monitoring system that identifies species directly on the device; Smart Egg Analysis, which enables teams to measure and candle eggs and monitor their heartbeats on a single screen; and an NFC-enabled, belt-worn device that allows caregivers to record animal-care rounds with a simple tap.

The technologies reflect the growing role of digital systems, automation and data-driven tools in supporting wildlife management and institutional coordination.

The conference also marks the release of the Indian Zoo Year Book, Volume 11, 2026.

At the closing ceremony on October 29, six conservation and zoological-sector leaders are set to receive Lifetime Achievement Awards presented by Vantara in recognition of their contributions to the field.

The awardees include Akulova, General Director of Moscow Zoo and President of EARAZA; René Franěk, founder and director of Chleby Zoo in the Czech Republic, known for breeding achievements involving the country's first red-shanked douc langurs and rhinoceros hornbills; and Azer Huseynov, director of Baku Zoological Park and Vice-President of EARAZA.

The Indian recipients are S. C. Sharma, a founding Member Secretary of the Central Zoo Authority, and former CZA Member Secretaries D. N. Singh and B. S. Bonal.

The conference will conclude with the handover of the EARAZA flag to the host of the 2027 edition, marking the transition to the association's next annual gathering.

As the four-day meeting draws to a close, its emphasis remains on translating scientific exchange into sustained cooperation, with participating institutions seeking to build partnerships that strengthen wildlife conservation, improve animal welfare and expand the collective capacity to respond to emerging challenges.