Following the success of the first Nordic Zookeeper Summit, we are delighted to welcome zoo professionals from across the Nordic countries to the second edition of this growing event. The conference is organized by the Swedish Association of Zoos and Aquaria (SAZA) and hosted by Vildriket in Järvsö, Sweden.
The Nordic Zookeeper Summit provides a platform for animal care professionals to meet, exchange ideas, and learn from experts while strengthening collaboration between zoos and aquariums throughout the Nordic region.
The conference is open to staff working at SAZA member institutions as well as non-members. Spaces are limited and expected to sell out, so early registration is recommended.
Conference Information
Dates: 25–26 November 2026
Ice Breaker Evening: 24 November 2026
Venue: Vildriket, Järvsö, Sweden
Language: English
Theme 2026: Zoo Animal Nutrition
Proper nutrition is one of the cornerstones of animal welfare and professional zoo management. During this year’s conference, participants will explore current approaches and practical aspects of nutrition in zoo animals. The programme will include lectures, discussions, workshops and opportunities to exchange experiences with colleagues from across the Nordic region.
Registration
The price of the conference includes the two-day conference, a pizza-buffet ice breaker on the evening of the 24th, coffee breaks and lunch during both conference days and dinner on the evening of the 25th. Travel and accommodation are not included. Please note that accommodation must be booked separately.
Spaces are limited and expected to sell out.
Early Bird (registration before 30 September 2026)
Price Early Bird: SAZA Member Institutions: 2,850 SEK, Non-member Institutions: 3,200 SEK
Registration after 30 September 2026
Price: SAZA Member Institutions: 3,200 SEK, Non-member Institutions: 3,600 SEK
Payment: At this time, SAZA can only accept payment by invoice.
Cancellation Policy
All registrations are binding.
- Up to 30 days before the event: Full refund.
- 7–14 days before the event: Refund minus an administration fee of 500 SEK.
- 14 days or less before the event: No refund will be given.
Substitutions
Registrations may be transferred to a colleague at no additional cost. Please notify us in writing as soon as possible at: info@djurparksforeningen.se
Event Changes
Should the conference be cancelled or rescheduled by the organizers, participants will be offered either a full refund or the opportunity to transfer their registration to the new dates.
Guest Speakers
Anouk Fern, Zoo nutritionist
Anouk Fens is the zoo nutritionist at several Dutch zoos, which allows her to fulfill her passion for translating nutritional needs of wild animals to dietary management in zoological collections.
She works on a permanent basis for several zoos in The Netherlands, like Amersfoort Zoo and Rotterdam Zoo. In addition, she works as a consulting nutritionist for several European zoos, covering a wide range of responsibilities, from diet formulation to development of zoo commissaries and education of zoo staff. She used to be chair of the European Nutrition Group for several years and serves currently as Nutritional Advisor for several TAGs.
Maria Erlandsson, Zoo veterinarian
Maria Erlandsson is an experienced zoo veterinarian with broad expertise in animal health, disease control, and animal care. She has worked with a wide variety of species and possesses deep knowledge of both preventive and emergency veterinary medicine in a zoo setting. With her extensive experience, she is a key resource in ensuring high standards of animal welfare, disease control protocols, and medical care within zoos.
Practical information
Travel information
Getting to Järvsö
Järvsö is conveniently located in central Sweden and can easily be reached by car, train or air. For international visitors, Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) is the nearest major airport and offers direct connections to many Nordic destinations. From Arlanda, participants can continue by rental car or by train.
Regular SJ train services connect Stockholm as well as Arlanda with Järvsö, with a journey time of approximately three hours. Järvsö railway station is located 1,5 km from Vildriket and can easily be reached on foot or by taxi.
To find out more about train times visit: www.sj.se
Those arriving by car will find Järvsö easily accessible via E4 and route 83. The drive from Stockholm takes approximately three and a half hours, while Gävle and Sundsvall are both within two hours. Parking is available near Vildriket.
Vildriket – Nordic Wilderness Centre
Vildriket is located in Järvsö, surrounded by the forests of Hälsingland, and is a wildlife park dedicated to Nordic wildlife and nature. The park was founded in 1992 as Järvzoo and became Vildriket in 2023.
The park covers approximately 50 hectares of forest, with three-kilometre wooden walkway leading visitors through the landscape. The animals live in large enclosures that are integrated into the natural environment, providing opportunities to express their natural behaviours.
Vildriket is home to around 20 Nordic species, including wolves, Eurasian lynx, wolverines, muskoxen and forest reindeer. Many of the park’s species are part of conservation programmes. Vildriket is a member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) and participates in several EAZA Ex situ Programmes (EEPs).
Animal welfare, conservation, research and education are central to our work. Through collaboration with researchers, authorities, organisations and other zoos, Vildriket works to contribute to species conservation and the long-term sustainability of populations.
We very much look forward to welcoming this year’s conference participants to Vildriket!
Welcome to Järvsö
Järvsö is located in the heart of Hälsingland, beautifully situated by the River Ljusnan and surrounded by forests and hills. It is a small village with plenty to offer, where nature, outdoor activities, culture and local food are an important part of both everyday life and the visitor experience.
Järvsö is a popular year-round destination. In winter, visitors come for skiing, while cycling, hiking and fishing are among the activities enjoyed during other parts of the year. Järvsö has become particularly well known as one of Sweden’s leading destinations for downhill and mountain biking.
Hälsingland also has a rich cultural heritage. The surrounding area is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Decorated Farmhouses of Hälsingland and has a long tradition of summer farming, folk music, crafts and local food. Järvsö is also home to Stenegård, a historic farm and meeting place for culture, crafts, food and events.
Despite its small size, Järvsö offers a wide range of restaurants, cafés, accommodation and activities, while nature is always close by.
In November, the pace is quieter as Järvsö moves from autumn into winter. We hope you will have the opportunity to discover a little of both Järvsö and Hälsingland during your stay.
A warm welcome to Järvsö!
