Introduction to EAZA Ex Situ Programme Management Course

 

  1 - 4 July 2025  📍 EAZA Executive Office 

 

This introduction to EEP (EAZA Ex Situ Programme) management is meant as fundamental training for EEP coordinators. Participants learn how to coordinate an EEP within the EAZA framework, tips for project management, professional studbook keeping and essentials of genetic and demographic management. This includes learning how to use ZIMS for Studbooks and PMx software. Importantly, this course also teaches how to use existing resources and support from others to grow into a confident EEP coordinator.

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LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course you will:

• Be familiar with the diversity of EEPs and ways they can contribute to conservation
• Be aware of the standards, procedures and guidelines for population management within EAZA and where to find them
• Be aware of the practicalities of running a programme
• Know why and how to maintain genetic diversity and minimise inbreeding
• Understand how to plan ahead for demographic challenges that are yet to come
• Be effective in using ZIMS for Studbooks as database for managing your population
• Be acquainted with using PMx for developing breeding and transfer recommendations

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COURSE ORGANISATION AND DURATION

The course will start at 9am on the Tuesday 1st July, with three full days (1-3 July), and the 4th July is the morning only. A more detailed programme will follow after registration. All 3.5 days will be in-person in the EAZA Executive Office, Amsterdam.

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COURSE REQUIREMENTS

• As preparation for the course, participants will receive a login and are expected to complete the Self-paced online ZIMS for Studbooks course, taking approximately 8-16 hours, (scroll down to the self-paced online courses on the EAZA Academy page to access to course). If participants have previously completed this course, there is no need to retake it. 
• Participants will also receive a PMx exercise (taking approximately 1 hour). 
• Participants are required to have a laptop with a Windows operating system. A limited number of laptops are available for borrowing from the EAZA Executive Office upon request.
• Participants from EAZA Member institutions must arrange for an EAZA Member Account at least one month before the course by completing this form.

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FEES

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EAZA Academy Cancellation Policy:

- If you cancel more than 4 weeks before the course starts no fees apply. 
- If you cancel less than 4 weeks before the course starts you will be charged 25% of the fees.  
- If you cancel less than 2 weeks before the course starts you will be charged 50% of the fees. 
- If you cancel less than 1 week before the course starts you will be charged 100% of the fees.

Participants are responsible for ensuring that the EAZA Academy confirms the cancellation for their course registration.