{"id":1318,"date":"2021-11-21T15:12:46","date_gmt":"2021-11-21T15:12:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/home\/"},"modified":"2026-10-15T12:35:37","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T12:35:37","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"1318\" class=\"elementor elementor-1318\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3458939 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3458939\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" id=\"home\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7dbbcad\" data-id=\"7dbbcad\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d3cdb0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2d3cdb0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/First-announcement-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-2497\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/First-announcement-2.jpg 960w, https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/First-announcement-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/First-announcement-2-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b79ff43 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b79ff43\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>OVERVIEW<\/strong><\/p><p>The Zoological Society of Southern Africa (ZSSA) is delighted to announce our 42<sup>nd<\/sup> ZSSA 2027 conference! This biennial event will be a stimulating gathering of zoologists from across Southern Africa, this time in the charming coastal town of Swakopmund, Namibia, at the Swakopmund Plaza Hotel, starting on the 25<sup>th<\/sup> of July 2027\u00a0with registration and a welcome function, and departing on the morning of 29 July 2027.\u00a0<span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">Swakopmund is situated on the central coast of Namibia and is an oasis where the sea meets the desert. The German colonial architecture is very remarkable in this seaside town.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><strong>MAIN THEME: Zoology in a Changing World: From Desert to Ocean: Understanding Biodiversity Change and Resilience<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><p>The conference will bring together research across a wide range of zoological disciplines, including:<\/p><ul><li>Global Change &#8211; climate change, environmental change, adaptation &amp; resilience<\/li><li>Biodiversity, Conservation &amp; Restoration &#8211; protecting and restoring our wildlife and ecosystems<\/li><li>From Desert to Ocean &#8211; terrestrial, freshwater, marine &amp; coastal zoology<\/li><li>Evolution, Taxonomy &amp; Systematics &#8211; species discovery, classification &amp; evolutionary relationships<\/li><li>Animal Behaviour, Ecology &amp; Physiology &#8211; how animals respond to their changing environments<\/li><li>One Health &#8211; connections between animals, people, parasites, diseases &amp; the environment<\/li><li>Emerging Technologies &amp; New Approaches &#8211; innovative tools, methods &amp; technologies in zoology<\/li><li>People, Policy &amp; the Future of Zoology &#8211; collaboration, science communication, policy &amp; capacity building<\/li><\/ul><p>Whether you&#8217;re studying a species, an ecosystem, a disease, a behaviour, a conservation challenge or developing new ways to understand biodiversity &#8211; there is a place for your research at ZSSA 2027.<\/p><p><strong>Local Organising Committee<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>Prof Seth Eiseb (Chairperson) \u2013 University of Namibia<\/li><li>Dr. Mildred Johnson &#8211; University of Namibia<\/li><li>Mrs. Apollonia Dirks \u2013 National Museum of Namibia<\/li><li>Mr. Halleluya Shaanika &#8211; Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism<\/li><li>Dr. Melissa Boonzaaier-Davids<\/li><li>Ms Lea Smit \u2013 University of Pretoria (ZSSA Student representative)<\/li><li>Ms Shaakirah Sulaiman \u2013 University of Cape Town (ZSSA Student representative)<\/li><li>Ms Suveena Govender \u2013 University of KwaZulu-Natal (ZSSA Student representative)<\/li><li style=\"font-size: 16px;\">Ms Elma Marais \u2013 ZSSA Administrator<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2f46dbc elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2f46dbc\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" id=\"venue\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e21db56\" data-id=\"e21db56\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-53af1d3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"53af1d3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"venue\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aeb3463 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"aeb3463\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">CONFERENCE VENUE<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-566a475 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"566a475\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b16948c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b16948c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Swakopmund Plaza Hotel &amp; Conference Centre is located in the heart of Swakopmund and surrounded by a number of historic buildings and restaurants, providing you with the best base for exploring Swakopmund.<\/p><p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.swakopmund-plaza-hotel.com\/\">VISIT THE SWAKOPMUND PLAZA HOTEL HERE<\/a><\/strong><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.swakopmund-info.co.za\/town\/info\"><strong>MORE ABOUT THE SWAKOPMUND AND ITS MAIN ATTRACTIONS<\/strong><\/a><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-54c463c elementor-arrows-position-inside elementor-pagination-position-outside elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-carousel\" data-id=\"54c463c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;slides_to_show&quot;:&quot;3&quot;,&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;both&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:500,&quot;image_spacing_custom&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:20,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;image_spacing_custom_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;image_spacing_custom_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"image-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel-wrapper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Image Carousel\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel swiper-wrapper\" aria-live=\"off\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 3\"><a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"54c463c\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Etosha eleph calf cow (1)\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MjUzMywidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL3pzc2EuY28uemFcL2NvbmZlcmVuY2VcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzA3XC9FdG9zaGEtZWxlcGgtY2FsZi1jb3ctMS5qcGciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiI1NGM0NjNjIn0%3D\" href=\"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Etosha-eleph-calf-cow-1.jpg\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Etosha-eleph-calf-cow-1.jpg\" alt=\"Etosha eleph calf cow (1)\" \/><\/figure><\/a><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 3\"><a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"54c463c\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"_UDI3422az (1)\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MjUzNCwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL3pzc2EuY28uemFcL2NvbmZlcmVuY2VcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzA3XC9VREkzNDIyYXotMS5qcGciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiI1NGM0NjNjIn0%3D\" href=\"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/UDI3422az-1.jpg\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/UDI3422az-1.jpg\" alt=\"_UDI3422az (1)\" \/><\/figure><\/a><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 3\"><a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"54c463c\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"RVA_9823az (1)\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MjUzNiwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL3pzc2EuY28uemFcL2NvbmZlcmVuY2VcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzA3XC9SVkFfOTgyM2F6LTEuanBnIiwic2xpZGVzaG93IjoiNTRjNDYzYyJ9\" href=\"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/RVA_9823az-1.jpg\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/RVA_9823az-1.jpg\" alt=\"RVA_9823az (1)\" \/><\/figure><\/a><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"eicon-chevron-left\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"eicon-chevron-right\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-354b90c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"354b90c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Accommodation<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0ab60aa elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"0ab60aa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0ce2a59 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0ce2a59\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The Swakopmund Plaza hotel forms part of The Swakopmund Collection, which is a privately owned and managed hospitality group operating 3 unique hotels and 1 luxury guesthouse in prime locations throughout Swakopmund. \u00a0The Swakopmund Plaza Hotel as well as the other hotels of the collections are providing discounted accommodation rates for delegates attending the ZSSA conference, however, they will not be able to block book the rooms completely beforehand but will ensure that ZSSA delegates get prioritized over other bookings by using a dedicated code.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">\u00a0<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>By referencing ZSSA2027 Conference, delegates will get a 20% discount on all rooms at any of the Hotels in the Swakopmund Collection and be prioritised over other bookings<\/strong>. More information about the hotels\u00a0 and the pricing of the rooms can be found <a href=\"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Swakopmund-Collection_Hotel-Information-2027.pdf\">HERE\u00a0<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>CONTACT DETAILS:<\/p><p><strong>Swakopmund Plaza Hotel<\/strong><\/p><p>Phone : +264 (0)64 426 500<\/p><p>Email : <a href=\"mailto:info@plaza.na\">info@plaza.na<\/a><\/p><p><strong>Atlantic Villa Guesthouse<\/strong><\/p><p>Phone : +264 64 463 511<\/p><p>Email : <a href=\"mailto:bookings@atlantic-villa.com\">bookings@atlantic-villa.com<\/a><\/p><p><strong>Beach Hotel Swakopmund<\/strong><\/p><p>Phone : +264 (0)64 417 700<\/p><p>Email : <a href=\"mailto:info@beach.na\">info@beach.na<\/a><\/p><p><strong>Artemis Hotel Swakopmund<\/strong><\/p><p>Phone : +264 (0) 64 417 100<\/p><p>Email : <a href=\"mailto:info@artemis.com.na\">info@artemis.com.na<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2b6ee9a elementor-arrows-position-inside elementor-pagination-position-outside elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-carousel\" data-id=\"2b6ee9a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;slides_to_show&quot;:&quot;3&quot;,&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;both&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:500,&quot;image_spacing_custom&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:20,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;image_spacing_custom_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;image_spacing_custom_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"image-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel-wrapper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Image Carousel\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel swiper-wrapper\" aria-live=\"off\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 3\"><a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"2b6ee9a\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Namib costal Mildrid 1 (1)\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MjUxNiwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL3pzc2EuY28uemFcL2NvbmZlcmVuY2VcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzA3XC9OYW1pYi1jb3N0YWwtTWlsZHJpZC0xLTEuanBnIiwic2xpZGVzaG93IjoiMmI2ZWU5YSJ9\" href=\"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Namib-costal-Mildrid-1-1.jpg\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Namib-costal-Mildrid-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"Namib costal Mildrid 1 (1)\" \/><\/figure><\/a><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 3\"><a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"2b6ee9a\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"2016-12_9475-KES (1)\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MjUxNywidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL3pzc2EuY28uemFcL2NvbmZlcmVuY2VcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzA3XC8yMDE2LTEyXzk0NzUtS0VTLTEuanBnIiwic2xpZGVzaG93IjoiMmI2ZWU5YSJ9\" href=\"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2016-12_9475-KES-1.jpg\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2016-12_9475-KES-1.jpg\" alt=\"2016-12_9475-KES (1)\" \/><\/figure><\/a><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 3\"><a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"2b6ee9a\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Namib Coastal Mildrid 2 (1)\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MjUxOCwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL3pzc2EuY28uemFcL2NvbmZlcmVuY2VcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzA3XC9OYW1pYi1Db2FzdGFsLU1pbGRyaWQtMi0xLmpwZyIsInNsaWRlc2hvdyI6IjJiNmVlOWEifQ%3D%3D\" href=\"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Namib-Coastal-Mildrid-2-1.jpg\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Namib-Coastal-Mildrid-2-1.jpg\" alt=\"Namib Coastal Mildrid 2 (1)\" \/><\/figure><\/a><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"eicon-chevron-left\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"eicon-chevron-right\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e00ab4b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e00ab4b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Travel<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-958a9ff elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"958a9ff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5b46c79 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5b46c79\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The conference activities are scheduled to run from the afternoon of Sunday 25 July 2027 (registration and welcome function) until the evening of Wednesday, 28 July (final dinner function and prize giving), with departure on Thursday, 29 July 2027.\u00a0 There is a possibility of post-conference field trips after the event on 29 July. More information will follow at a later stage. Therefore, please plan your itineraries around these dates.\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">For those traveling via air, there are two main ports of entry into Namibia: Hosea Kutako International Airport (Windhoek) and Walvis Bay International Airport (Rooikop).<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">Hosea Kutako International Airport is relatively cheaper for travel into the country.\u00a0 Shuttles will be arranged to transport participants from both Hosea Kutako International Airport and Walvis Bay International Airport to Swakopmund on Sunday, 25 July, and return the participants to their departing airports on Thursday, 29 July. Please note that the distance from Windhoek International Airport to Swakopmund is about 430 km, which is about 5 hours by road. In line with this, we strongly advise participants arriving or departing via Hosea Kutako International Airport (Windhoek) to book their flights for arrival into Namibia by Sunday morning, 25 July, and departure on Thursday afternoon\/evening, 29 July.\u00a0<span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">Walvis Bay International Airport is about 40 km from Swakopmund; therefore, the travel time is 20 to 30 minutes by road.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/visitnamibia.com.na\/visa-information\/\">CLICK HERE FOR VISA &amp; ENTRY ENQUIRIES<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4523aa0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"4523aa0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7d1e907 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7d1e907\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" id=\"registration\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-18752d9\" data-id=\"18752d9\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-52397ec elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"52397ec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"dates\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-230f6dd elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"230f6dd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b0ec50c elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"b0ec50c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-14c725d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"14c725d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Please submit abstracts for potential inclusion in the scientific programme using the following themes as guidelines:<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><ul><li style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Global Change<\/strong>: <em>Climate change, environmental change, resilience, adaptation, and broader global drivers of change<\/em><\/li><li style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Biodiversity, Conservation &amp; Restoration<\/strong>: <em>Understanding, protecting, conserving, and restoring biodiversity<\/em><\/li><li style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>From Desert to Ocean: Diverse Ecosystems<\/strong>: <em>Terrestrial, freshwater, marine, and coastal zoology<\/em><\/li><li style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Evolution, Taxonomy &amp; Systematics<\/strong>: <em>Species discovery, classification, evolution, phylogenetics, and systematics<\/em><\/li><li style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Animal Behaviour, Ecology &amp; Physiology<\/strong>: <em>Behavioural, ecological, and physiological responses to environmental change<\/em><\/li><li style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>One Health<\/strong>: <em>Interconnected human, animal, and environmental health, including wildlife, parasites, diseases, and associated health issues<\/em><\/li><li style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Emerging Technologies &amp; New Approaches in Zoology<\/strong>: <em>Innovative tools, methods, technologies, and approaches in zoological research<\/em><\/li><li style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>People, Policy &amp; the Future of Zoology<\/strong>: <em>Science\u2013policy connections, capacity building, collaboration, science communication, and the future of zoology<\/em><\/li><\/ul><h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #00ffff;\">SUBMIT YOUR ABSTRACT<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.gle\/R1D6J6yFiqVeeLP87\">HERE<\/a><\/strong><\/h2><p>\u00a0<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Format and submission types:<\/strong><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Full presentations<\/strong>: 15 minutes (12 min presentation + 3 min questions)<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Speed presentations<\/strong>: 5 minutes (5 min presentation + combined question time)<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Posters<\/strong> (A dedicated poster session will be allocated in the scientific programme)<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Keynote presentations<\/strong> will be invited presentations by the scientific committee.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Abstract Submission Guidelines<\/strong><\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">Please format abstracts according to the following requirements (Abstracts must be submitted for all presentation types)<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Abstract Formatting &amp; Structure<\/strong><\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">Title: Centred, Arial 12-point, bold.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">Author(s): Centred, Arial 10-point, bold. List author initials and surnames, with the presenting author underlined.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">Affiliations: Centred, Arial 10-point, italics. Use numerical superscripts to indicate multiple distinct affiliations.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">Presenting Author Email: Include the presenting author&#8217;s email address, centred in Arial 10-point.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">Abstract body: Justified, Arial 12-point, single paragraph with a maximum length of 200 words.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">Presentation type (e.g., Paper, Extended, Speed, or Poster presentation) &amp; sub-theme: Left-aligned, Arial 12-point.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">\u00a0<\/p><h2><span style=\"color: #00ffff;\">A template for abstracts is available<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ZSSA-2027-abstract-template.docx\">HERE<\/a><\/h2><p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Submission Requirements<\/strong><\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">Please ensure that all abstracts adhere to the formatting requirements above and remain within the 200-word maximum. Submissions that do not follow the specified format may be returned to the author for correction.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">The deadline for abstract submissions is <strong>Friday, 11 December 2026<\/strong>. Please expect a confirmation of presentation by\u00a0<strong>22\u00a0January 2027.<\/strong><\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">If your abstract is accepted, you will be provided with further information on the operating system requirements for your presentation, instructions on loading your presentation, and more. Microsoft PowerPoint is strongly preferred for oral presentations.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1334c38 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"1334c38\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7aa1a6a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7aa1a6a\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" id=\"sponsor\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9fcac97\" data-id=\"9fcac97\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9e9becf elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"9e9becf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"sponsor\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b8ea657 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b8ea657\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">IMPORTANT DATES &amp; SPONSORSHIP<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9789436 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"9789436\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d7320e7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d7320e7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>42<sup>nd<\/sup> ZSSA 2027 CONFERENCE SPONSORSHIP<\/strong><\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">The Zoological Society of Southern Africa (ZSSA) cordially invites your organization to partner with us as a sponsor for our upcoming 42nd ZSSA Conference. This premier event will take place from 25\u201329 July 2027 at the Swakopmund Plaza Hotel in Swakopmund, Namibia.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">The ZSSA is a registered non-profit organization dedicated to supporting scientists and researchers across all fields of zoology in southern Africa. Currently, our society connects approximately 260 members from various academic, government, and research institutions. Every two years, we organize this flagship conference to create a vibrant atmosphere for initiating collaboration, sharing cutting-edge research, and fostering knowledge exchange.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">Our 2027 conference is themed \u201cZoology in a Changing World \u2013 From Desert to Ocean: Understanding Biodiversity, Change and Resilience.\u201d This theme is particularly relevant to our host nation, Namibia, and reflects the critical climate and environmental challenges our ecosystems face today. The congress is dedicated to bringing together at least 120 established researchers, industry experts, and enthusiastic postgraduate students who are shaping the future of zoological science.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">By sponsoring this event, your organization will gain direct visibility among a specialized network of scientists, decision-makers, and future leaders in the scientific community. Your support will also directly contribute to supporting student attendance and advancing biodiversity research in Southern Africa.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">We offer various sponsorship tiers and exhibition opportunities that can be tailored to align with your organization\u2019s marketing and philanthropic goals. Find our detailed sponsorship package for your review, outlining the specific benefits and promotional avenues available for each tier <a href=\"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ZSSA-2027-Sponsorship-Packages-1.pdf\">HERE<\/a>.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">Thank you for considering this opportunity to support scientific excellence and environmental resilience.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">Yours sincerely,<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">Prof. Seth J. Eiseb<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">President, ZSSA<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">42nd ZSSA Conference Organizing Chair<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">The Zoological Society of Southern Africa (ZSSA)<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">Email: <a href=\"mailto:seiseb@unam.na\">seiseb@unam.na<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d0e8a77 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d0e8a77\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The various sponsorship packages offered can be found at the following link:\u00a0\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ZSSA-2027-Sponsorship-Packages.pdf\">ZSSA 2027 Sponsorship Packages<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7edc9cd elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"7edc9cd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0f12c98 elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0f12c98\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-abb16e6\" data-id=\"abb16e6\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0cd71f5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0cd71f5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Platinum Sponsors<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-0f7f463 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0f7f463\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-9b90ea5\" data-id=\"9b90ea5\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-991f739 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"991f739\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"595\" src=\"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/NCB-Logo-1024x595.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2437\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/NCB-Logo-1024x595.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/NCB-Logo-300x174.jpg 300w, https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/NCB-Logo-768x446.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/NCB-Logo-1536x893.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/NCB-Logo-2048x1191.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-6e55f31\" data-id=\"6e55f31\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91ef8e6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"91ef8e6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"798\" src=\"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ZSSA_logo_new_2013-1024x798.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2429\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ZSSA_logo_new_2013-1024x798.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ZSSA_logo_new_2013-300x234.jpg 300w, https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ZSSA_logo_new_2013-768x599.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ZSSA_logo_new_2013.jpg 1394w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6d681dd elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6d681dd\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4de3066\" data-id=\"4de3066\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-40e466c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"40e466c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Silver Sponsors<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-a1f5a75 elementor-section-content-middle elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a1f5a75\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-1c9867f\" data-id=\"1c9867f\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-79e2018 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"79e2018\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"195\" src=\"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/DIPLOMICS-LOGO-Grey-with-Transparent-copy-2-1024x195.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2430\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/DIPLOMICS-LOGO-Grey-with-Transparent-copy-2-1024x195.png 1024w, https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/DIPLOMICS-LOGO-Grey-with-Transparent-copy-2-300x57.png 300w, https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/DIPLOMICS-LOGO-Grey-with-Transparent-copy-2-768x146.png 768w, https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/DIPLOMICS-LOGO-Grey-with-Transparent-copy-2-1536x293.png 1536w, https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/DIPLOMICS-LOGO-Grey-with-Transparent-copy-2-2048x391.png 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-7191bb0\" data-id=\"7191bb0\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d62084 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6d62084\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"174\" src=\"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/WA_Logo_Horizontal_ColorMAIN-LOGO.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2431\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/WA_Logo_Horizontal_ColorMAIN-LOGO.png 750w, https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/WA_Logo_Horizontal_ColorMAIN-LOGO-300x70.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-92cd69e\" data-id=\"92cd69e\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-64f9271 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"64f9271\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/MadHornet2-1200pix-1024x1024.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2432\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/MadHornet2-1200pix-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/MadHornet2-1200pix-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/MadHornet2-1200pix-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/MadHornet2-1200pix-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/MadHornet2-1200pix-400x400.png 400w, https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/MadHornet2-1200pix-600x600.png 600w, https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/MadHornet2-1200pix.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-5340f7c elementor-section-content-middle elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5340f7c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-dd829d5\" data-id=\"dd829d5\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5df99da elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5df99da\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"965\" src=\"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ZooOmics-Logo-1024x965.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2433\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ZooOmics-Logo-1024x965.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ZooOmics-Logo-300x283.jpg 300w, https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ZooOmics-Logo-768x724.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ZooOmics-Logo-1536x1447.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ZooOmics-Logo-2048x1930.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-c064ae8\" data-id=\"c064ae8\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-7021dc5\" data-id=\"7021dc5\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3c62dcf elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3c62dcf\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-10139ca\" data-id=\"10139ca\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-15852c7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"15852c7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Bronze Sponsors<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-d6fb75a elementor-section-content-middle elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d6fb75a\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-be9f5f3\" data-id=\"be9f5f3\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-345e0ac\" data-id=\"345e0ac\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-72a7baa elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"72a7baa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"187\" height=\"152\" src=\"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/university-of-limpopo-logo.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2447\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-12dbc99\" data-id=\"12dbc99\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>OVERVIEW The Zoological Society of Southern Africa (ZSSA) is delighted to announce our 42nd ZSSA 2027 conference! This biennial event will be a stimulating gathering of zoologists from across Southern Africa, this time in the charming coastal town of Swakopmund, Namibia, at the Swakopmund Plaza Hotel, starting on the 25th of July 2027\u00a0with registration and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"page-builder","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"enabled","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1318","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1318","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1318"}],"version-history":[{"count":821,"href":"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1318\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2618,"href":"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1318\/revisions\/2618"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zssa.co.za\/conference\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1318"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}