Zoological Society of Southern Africa

The Zoological Society of Southern Africa (ZSSA) is a scientific society dedicated to promoting zoology across all sub-disciplines in southern Africa. It was founded on 11 March 1959 at a meeting of an Interim Committee appointed to investigate the possibility of forming a society to promote zoology and the interests of zoologists in the region. The meeting was chaired by Dr S H Skaife, who was also elected as the Society's first President in 1960. The Society is based in South Africa and operates as a registered voluntary association with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP). The ZSSA pursues its objectives through regular conferences, the publication of a peer-reviewed scientific journal, and regular newsletters to its members. Its logo and annual newsletter are both named "Aardvark". The Society offers various membership categories, including institutional, ordinary, family, student, pensioners, and extended (life) membership, both locally and abroad. Membership grew from 151 at the end of 1959, peaking at 756 in July 1991, and currently stands at approximately 300–350 members. The affairs of the Society are managed by a council of honorary and council members elected every two years by the membership. The ZSSA's publishing history began in 1965 with the founding of its journal, Zoologica Africana, whose first issue comprised the proceedings of the second ZSSA symposium on 'Animal Mammals'. The first editors were F H Talbot and M K Rowan. The journal appeared under this name for 14 years. In 1979, financial circumstances forced the Society to turn to the Bureau of Scientific Publications (BSP) to publish its journal and to accept a name change to the South African Journal of Zoology. Further financial constraints in the late 1980s led to further changes. The Society currently publishes the journal African Zoology and the newsletter Aardvark. It also presents a biennial Corporate Award to a company that has made an exceptional contribution to the advancement of zoology in southern Africa, and recognizes outstanding students in zoology through annual awards.

The Zoological Society of Southern Africa (ZSSA) was founded on 11 March 1959 at a meeting of an Interim Committee appointed to investigate the possibility of forming a society to promote zoology and the interests of zoologists in southern Africa. The meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Dr S H Skaife, who was also the first President of the Society, elected in 1960. The main objectives to meet its goal were to hold regular conferences and publish a peer-reviewed scientific journal and regular newsletters to its members. The Aardvark is the logo for the ZSSA and the annual newsletter of the society is also named "Aardvark". Various categories of membership were provided for, and today the Society has institutional, ordinary, family, student, pensioners and extended (life) membership – local and abroad. The membership grew steadily from a small beginning of 151 at the end of 1959, peaking at 756 members in July 1991. Currently the society has a membership of about 300–350 members. One of the objectives of the Society from the beginning was to publish a peer-reviewed scientific journal of the highest international standard. This was realised in 1965 with the founding of the Society's Journal, Zoologica Africana. The first issue comprised the proceedings of the second symposium of ZSSA on 'Animal Mammals'. The first editors were F H Talbot and M K Rowan. The journal appeared for 14 years under this name. In 1979 the Society was forced by financial circumstances to turn to the Bureau of Scientific Publications (BSP) to publish its Journal, and to accept a name change resulting in the South African Journal of Zoology. Further financial constraints in the late 1980s resulted in the introduction of no... [text truncated in source]. The Society currently publishes the journal African Zoology and the newsletter Aardvark. It is a registered voluntary association with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP), and members can earn CPD points by registering as paying members. The ZSSA Council presents a biennial Corporate Award to a company that has made an exceptional contribution to the advancement of zoology in southern Africa, through media coverage, donations or services rendered. The award is made at the banquet dinner during the biennial Conference. The Society also recognizes outstanding students in zoology through annual awards for best third-year and honours students at various universities.

• 1991

  Membership peaked at 756 members in July.

• 1979

  Financial circumstances forced the Society to turn to the Bureau of Scientific Publications (BSP) and accept a name change to South African Journal of Zoology.

• 1965

  Founding of the Society's journal, Zoologica Africana; first issue comprised proceedings of the second ZSSA symposium on 'Animal Mammals'.

• 1960

  Dr S H Skaife elected as first President of the Society.

• 1959

  Society founded on 11 March at a meeting of an Interim Committee chaired by Dr S H Skaife.

A learned society promoting zoology across all sub-disciplines in southern Africa.

• African Zoology

• Aardvark

• Zoologica Africana

• South African Journal of Zoology

1. 1Welcome to ZSSA - Zoological Society of Southern Africa (ZSSA)zssa.co.za
2. 2History and Overview - Zoological Society of Southern Africa (ZSSA)zssa.co.za
3. 3Corporate Award - Zoological Society of Southern Africa (ZSSA)zssa.co.za
4. 4Zoological Society of Southern Africa - Wikidatawikidata.org
5. 5Zoological Society of Southern Africa - Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org