Impressions

A Celebration of Zoology in Bucharest
ZoologyCon—an international zoology congress hosted by the Grigore Antipa National Museum of Natural History in Bucharest from November 6-9, 2024. It sounded intriguing, but would it draw enough participants? Would there be a rich enough diversity of topics to keep everyone engaged? These were just a few questions that crossed my mind when I accepted the invitation back in November 2023.
From my arrival in Bucharest to my flight back to Cluj on the morning of November 10, everything was nearly flawless—though I hesitate to call anything perfect, not even the laws of nature.
The organizers had considered every detail essential to hosting a distinguished international congress. Esteemed zoologists from both abroad and Romania were invited, along with many young and very young scholars. The program featured eight guest lecturers, 48 plenary presentations, and over 100 posters. During the three days packed with scientific talks and poster sessions, there was hardly any time left for coffee or meal breaks, though these, too, were graciously accommodated in the spacious setting of the University House. The lively discussions after each scientific presentation sometimes nudged the schedule off track, adding a certain charm to the congress. It felt like a true celebration, crafted by the organizers and enjoyed by all. The opening of the exhibition “Belgica – The Dream of the First Polar Night” added an even more international flair to the event. The gala dinner and poster awards rounded off the experience, fulfilling participants’ expectations.
It was inspiring to witness how an old science like zoology is experiencing a renaissance, now intertwined with modern scientific fields. Zoology is no longer just about classical taxonomy and Systematics; listing all the disciplines it intersects with in the quest to uncover the origins and life of animals would require much more than a single page.
The international congress provided a memorable event, marked daily by remarkable scientific and cultural experiences, including an excursion to The National Museum Complex “Curtea Domnească” in Târgoviște and the European bison reserve in Bucșani. This congress will be talked about for a long time, and the positive impressions left on every participant will surely attract even more attendees for future congresses. More editions are sure to follow, as the organizers, now at their 12th edition, have gained valuable experience and will undoubtedly continue to elevate the standards year after year. .
For the wonderful experiences, engaging discussions, new connections, and everything we learned and enjoyed over these four days, we extend our gratitude to the team of the Grigore Antipa Museum […] along with their partners at the University of Bucharest and the Romanian Academy.

Prof. László RÁKOSY
Faculty of Biology and Geology, Department of Taxonomy
“Babes-Bolyai” University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

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Regarding ZOOLOGYCON 2024
Dear Members of the Organizing Committee,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to extend my heartfelt thanks to you and your team for organizing such an outstanding conference—ZOOLOGYCON 2024. It was an exceptional experience to participate in this highly enriching event, and I commend you for your efforts in bringing together such a dynamic and knowledgeable group of professionals, researchers, and practitioners from across the field of zoology. The breadth of topics covered, including taxonomy, systematics, biodiversity, wildlife conservation, and molecular phylogeny, provided a comprehensive platform for in-depth discussions and the sharing of cutting-edge research. The diversity of sessions and the expertise of the speakers truly enhanced my understanding of these critical areas of study. I particularly appreciated the high quality of the presentations and the stimulating panel discussions that encouraged intellectual engagement and cross-disciplinary collaboration. The conference was not only informative but also inspiring. It reaffirmed the importance of continued research and conservation efforts, and I left with a renewed sense of commitment to advancing our collective work in these vital areas. The networking opportunities were also invaluable, and I look forward to applying the insights and ideas I gained to my own research and professional activities. The smooth organization, timely sessions, and welcoming atmosphere made the event enjoyable and impactful. I sincerely appreciate the hard work and dedication that went into planning and executing such a successful conference. Once again, thank you for your efforts in making ZOOLOGYCON 2024 such a remarkable experience. I look forward to future opportunities to participate in similar events and to continuing the discussions and collaborations sparked at the conference.
With warm regards,
Bhupendra Kumar

Dr. Bhupendra Kumar
Assistant Professor
Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University
Varanasi (U.P.) – 221005 (INDIA)

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