You Better Belize It

There was once a time in my life when I could only dream about performing a physical exam on a sedated jaguar in the Belizean jungle, but that dream, along with many others, became a reality as a student enrolled in Dr. Noha Abou-Madi’s International Experience in Wildlife Health and Conservation course. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine (CUCVM) has been partnered with the Belize Zoo since 2011 to provide state-of-the-art veterinary care while simultaneously fulfilling the dreams of adventurous veterinary students looking to hone their clinical skills. After having to cancel this trip multiple times throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Noha Abou-Madi could not be more excited to offer this course once again to those with career goals involving wildlife and zoological medicine. In this course, students travel to the Belize Zoo where they stay for a week to gain hands-on experience with various mammals, birds, and reptiles native to Belize.

International Experience in Wildlife Health and Conservation provides students with opportunities that go beyond the core curriculum, offering depth and breadth of knowledge in zoological and conservation medicine. Previous student Sophie Yasuda ‘25 stated, “one of my favorite parts of the trip was being able to participate in every aspect of the animals’ veterinary care and learn about each component from knowledgeable veterinarians. Being able to conduct physical exams, monitor anesthesia, observe dental procedures, collect samples, and run lab work on species as majestic and diverse as jaguars and harpy eagles was an incredible experience. In addition, it was a valuable learning experience to work in an unfamiliar hospital and extremely rewarding to feel our group turn into a cohesive and close-knit team.”

After working with an otter, kinkajou, and fer-de-lance, Erin Guntrum ‘25 recalls that her most memorable experience of the trip was auscultating the heart of one of the jaguars. She thought that the heart sounds were abnormal, but she was unable to figure out exactly what was abnormal about them – a murmur, an extra heart sound, an abnormal rhythm, etc. She worked closely with Veterinary Resident of Zoological Medicine Dr. Melissa Hanson to discover a split S2 sound – something that Dr. Hanson explained can be a normal finding in a larger animal where the aortic and pulmonic valves do not always close with perfect synchronicity. This was a memorable experience for Erin because despite not being able to identify the exact heart sound, she was able to recognize a difference between the heart sounds she heard in the jaguar and the ones she has been taught in CUCVM’s core curriculum. As a student developing her clinical skills, this felt like a win to Erin, and I agree!

The relationship between the Belize Zoo and CUCVM is one that not only fosters students’ education and clinical skills as they pertain to zoological medicine, but also as they pertain to conservation. The Belize Zoo is highly committed to the animals within their direct care, but they also care for those that live beyond their gates. Erin Guntrum ‘25 recalls a lecture that we received highlighting the integral role that zoos play in the realm of conservation in which we learned that the Belize zoo has been purchasing land to be utilized as wildlife corridors to once again connect wild populations that have been separated by human establishments. Members of the Belize zoo are very aware that the human population is expanding and so too is development, nonetheless they are trying their best to ensure that land exists for wildlife in the future.

The Belize Zoo’s conservation efforts were very motivating for some, including Sophie Yasuda ‘25 who stated, “my decision to apply to the course stemmed from my desire to contribute to the preservation of wild populations through a career as a wildlife veterinarian. During my time at the Belize Zoo, I was inspired not only by the quality of veterinary care provided by Cornell’s doctors, but also by the amazing care provided by the keepers at the zoo and the impact the zoo has on improving public perception of native wildlife. Overall, the experience strengthened my desire to use my veterinary degree to contribute to wildlife conservation.” Emma Fralin ‘25 was also very encouraged by the zoo’s conservation efforts and is certain that visitors receive the same inspiration. She states, “the care that the animal keeper’s exemplified for their animals was practically palpable. I am confident that this care and respect translates to every visitor of the Belize Zoo.”

International Experience in Wildlife Health and Conservation is a course unlike any other, offering an experience of a lifetime. From monitoring the anesthesia of a spider monkey to drawing blood from a white-tailed deer in the field, you really get to do it all. This trip is a must for those seeking a well-rounded veterinary education in zoological, wildlife, or conservation medicine. I think Erin Guntrum ‘25 truly encapsulates how we all felt after our experience at the Belize Zoo when she said, “I’ve always dreamed of being a zoo or wildlife veterinarian. And this trip was so special because it was really the first time that I got to live out that dream – and it really affirmed that this is what I want to do, and that this is something I can do.”


Maison Scheuer is the 2022-2023 WildLIFE Blog Editor and a proud member of Cornell ZAWS. Her passions lie at the intersection of veterinary medicine and wildlife conservation. She loves to travel and has spent time in Canada, Thailand, Alabama, Belize, and Honduras where she studied Columbian ground squirrels, elephant conservation, wildlife rehabilitation, and veterinary medicine. Though particularly interested in One Health and international medicine, she has also discovered a love for small animal medicine through her experience working as a veterinary technician at a full-service exotics and small animal private practice.

Guidance from Graduates: Dr. Ben Jakobek (DVM ‘20)

If Dr. Benjamin Jakobek decides to write a book, I will be first in line to buy it. As he tells me about some of the projects he’s been a part of, including capturing and collaring muskox in Nunavik and working to transport caribou to a protected environment, he is a reminder to all of us aspiring veterinarians that we will one day have the capability and arguably, the responsibility, to help protect wild animals and places around the world. After obtaining his DVM from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2020,  Dr. Jakobek completed a one-year small animal rotating internship at the University of Prince Edward Island. Now, he is a zoological medicine resident and a master’s student at the University of Montréal focusing on free-ranging wildlife health management. Though each day’s work is different, Dr. Jakobek divides the bulk of his time between the Granby Zoo, the Aquarium of Québec, the University of Montréal’s wildlife pathology service and raptor clinic, as well as federal and provincial wildlife agencies. His current program gives him the opportunity to hone his research and his clinical skills into something he calls “the opportunity of a lifetime.” This program has allowed him to work on research projects ranging from studying toxoplasmosis in endangered beluga whales to environmental interventions against Lyme disease, among many others.

Though Dr. Jakobek knew throughout his vet school years that he hoped to work in conservation medicine, his experiences during his time as a student were varied. “One of the things I love about veterinary medicine is there’s so much to learn. I took on everything that I could that interested me. I got involved in projects where I felt like I could bring something useful to the table, even if it was just my time and my passion.” Thankfully, opportunities abound. “As a vet student it’s not hard to find really cool projects. In fact, I think at Cornell specifically there’s truly an abundance of unique opportunities.” His summer in Indonesia with Dr. Robin Radcliffe’s rhino conservation program was an impactful experience. “That reaffirmed for me the fact that I wanted to do wildlife conservation work and also be working internationally as much as possible.” From there, Dr. Jakobek continued to chase down experiences that excited him, including externships with the provincial and state wildlife departments of British Columbia and Alaska and with White Oak Conservation Center in Florida. Dr. Jakobek emphasizes pursuing a path that interests you rather than taking steps only because they feel like what you’re supposed to do. “I think that it comes down to what you make out of whichever experience you end up having.” This attitude also extended to the rotations he completed at Cornell during his clinical year. To work with exotic and wildlife species, he says, it helps to have as strong of a background you can have in “just about everything.”

According to Dr. Jakobek, his time at Cornell influenced more than just his clinical skills. “Cornell inspired me to see the incredible things that can be achieved through thoughtful research. At Cornell, I gained a lot from just talking to people. I had the opportunity to have conversations with professors there, who are people that have had an immense positive impact on our world. My connections with people at Cornell didn’t necessarily stop after I finished my studies, and my experiences there have served as a foundation for my learning and development. I strive to continue to adhere to the professional and academic excellence that I think Cornell encourages.”

Looking towards his future, Dr. Jakobek remains interested in both clinical medicine and research. He is particularly drawn to work in more remote areas of the world. “I think this appeals to me because it’s in those remote places that you find rich biodiversity and natural habitats often needing research and support for their protection.” Another highlight of his residency has been working alongside different community stakeholders to conserve habitats and safeguard wild species. He describes a particularly impactful experience transporting caribou alongside wildlife biologists, indigenous peoples, wildlife technicians, and veterinarians, all of whom wanted to ensure the survival of this particular caribou population, of which there were only seventeen individuals remaining. Of course, while his experiences during his residency have been rewarding, he is also frequently reminded of the progress still to be made. “This work [with caribou] shows how important it is to protect wildlife habitats while we still have them and value wildlife, while we have the great fortune to be able to share the planet with them.”

When asked to share some advice with current students, Dr. Jakobek was quick to emphasize our value as individuals even as we may feel compelled to devote all of our time and energy to our veterinary studies. “I would tell students not to undervalue the other things that make you who you are outside of being a vet student. Of course academic success and veterinary knowledge are crucial components of your career as a veterinarian, but I’ve found that people’s interest in me often is in some of the things that I thought were a very small part of me.” In Dr. Jakobek’s case, this includes interests in aviation, film, media, and a knack for languages. Another inestimable component of success is the ability to work well with others. “If you’re somebody that people enjoy being around, that’s not something you should take for granted. Being an honest, sociable, likable person goes a very long way, especially since wildlife medicine and conservation is often just as much about people as it is about animals.” Naturally, the field being so small means that it is also quite competitive, something Dr. Jakobek is well aware of. “You probably won’t get every opportunity that you try for. When you don’t get those opportunities it’s less likely that it was because of you, and not just a result of this field’s competitive nature. But, at the end of the day, if you know that you want to work in wildlife conservation, you know what tools you’re going to need to be effective, and you’re ready to learn and you’re ready to put yourself out there, then you finally will get the opportunity of a lifetime. And it’s hard to believe but those opportunities will then just keep coming.” Asked for some parting advice, Dr. Jakobek’s words are motivational: “I’ll tell you that when you finally get the opportunities you’ve been waiting for, make the absolute most of them and remember how important your work is for our beautiful planet.”


Colleen Sorge, Class of 2024, is a Cornell DVM student from Long Island, NY. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Animal Science from Cornell University in 2020. She has a wide range of interests within the veterinary field, including both small animal and wildlife medicine.

Guidance from Graduates: Dr. Zachary Dvornicky-Raymond (BS ’15, DVM ’19)

For Dr. Zachary Dvornicky-Raymond, a career in conservation may have been an inevitability. An animal lover for as long as he can remember, Dr. Dvornicky-Raymond recalls watching the Discovery Channel and Animal Planet as a child and idolizing Steve Irwin. “As I grew up and was attending zoos and learning more about the world, I came to realize that all of the animals that I loved and was so interested in were disappearing. So I always knew I wanted to figure out a way to help them.” While he was certain he wanted to work in wildlife conservation as a child, he wasn’t sure how. Dr. Dvornicky-Raymond notes that he always loved the sciences, especially biology, growing up. He then decided to go to college to pursue a major in biology, knowing that he would someday apply it to conservation. Through some formative experiences in undergrad, including a heartfelt discussion with our own Dr. Abou-Madi when he was a zookeeper intern, he learned that he could merge two major interests: medicine and conservation. His hard work paid off when he got a phone call one wintry morning from Dr. Beth Bunting — he had been offered a spot in Cornell Vet’s Class of 2019. To him, this was a dream come true; he accepted. 

Dr. Dvornicky-Raymond is particularly grateful for the opportunity he had to develop his interests during his eight years at Cornell. In vet school, some of his favorite courses included Conservation Medicine, Captive Wildlife Management, and a wide range of large animal and production courses. He calls these domestic animal courses “just as important for your development as a zoological veterinarian” as more overtly zoo-related courses. Dr. Dvornicky-Raymond served as Vice President of the Zoo and Wildlife Society, during which time he co-developed the WildLIFE Blog. He was also Vice President of the Theriogenology Club during his time as a student and took on opportunities to continue developing his research skills, including an Expanding Horizons project in Namibia working with the Cheetah Conservation Fund. “We’re sitting on a gold mine at Cornell,” he says of the Expanding Horizons Program. “The opportunity to go abroad as a vet student and have agency in a project and work on something completely novel to you is an experience that is completely worth it, whether or not you want to work abroad.”

Zoo/wildlife-related experiences aside, Dr. Dvornicky-Raymond also emphasizes “leaning into things that aren’t necessarily just of professional interest, but that also speak to the heart.” This spirit of exploration should also, in his opinion, inform externship decisions. “Do something that you definitely want to do and do something somewhat related to it that you’re not sure about.” For Dr. Dvornicky-Raymond, this included an externship at a traditional zoological institution, the Brookfield Zoo, and a preceptorship at White Oak Conservation Center. Through these experiences, Dr. Dvornicky-Raymond came to love population medicine and the semi-free ranging wildlife model. Faculty also play an integral role in the self-discovery process. “Ultimately people are faculty at Cornell for a reason. They want to be there and they deserve to be there. You know they worked hard to get there and they want to help. They want to nurture.” Faculty at Cornell played an integral role in helping him choose his next steps after receiving his DVM. 

 After graduation, Dr. Dvornicky-Raymond completed a small animal rotating internship at VCA West Los Angeles to “gain confidence and competence in my clinical skills.” He is quick to emphasize the many potential pathways to a career in conservation medicine, including internships in large animal and equine medicine. After completing his first internship, Dr. Dvornicky-Raymond went on to Colorado State University to complete a zoological medicine and surgery specialty internship, all while the pandemic was turning the veterinary community and the world at large upside down. “Learning how to extrapolate information and learning how to work in completely novel scenarios were the biggest things that I took away from that.” From there, Dr. Dvornicky-Raymond felt called to return to his love for population-based medicine, and found Fossil Rim Wildlife Center to be the ideal next destination. His current role as the David E. Wildlt Fellow in Zoological Medicine there gives him an abundance of opportunities. “This place is amazing, and being able to take all of that medicine that I learned in the past two years and now apply it in a different setting with new challenges is really personally fulfilling. And I’m starting to get a better appreciation for what it means to be a veterinarian as it relates to conservation, which is really cool.”

Dr. Dvornicky-Raymond is still charting the course he wants to follow when his time at Fossil Rim ends, but for him the uncertain, ever-evolving nature of conservation is part of what makes the work so special. While he is partial to umbrella and keystone species and is particularly drawn to his favorite animal, the tiger, he is thrilled by the countless ways to help save wild places and species. “There is so much to understand, to learn, and to try. I have the veterinary medicine part down, but that is not the end-all-be-all when it comes to saving animals. Conservation is about people. And so that’s the aspect of One Health that I haven’t spent as much time with. I’ve got a pretty good handle on one-third of it, but there’s two-thirds left and I want to be able to work with a transdisciplinary team and continue to grow. I don’t know where I’m going to be in a year and that makes me nervous, but I know where I want to be. And as long as I keep my eye on the North Star, I think it will be okay. This world is changing very rapidly and people are starting to pay attention to One Health and the health of our ecosystems, so I’m hopeful that that translates into a need. You can only remain hopeful, and I encourage you to stay hopeful.”

While the years since his graduation have been action-packed, it wasn’t long ago that Dr. Dvornicky-Raymond was in our shoes, and he is eager to share his advice for current vet students. First, keep an open mind. “Being a traditional zoo vet at a zoo is one pathway. There are so many different ways that you can have an impact on the natural world and on wildlife conservation that are not just being a zoo vet. So do not be discouraged by people that say there are no jobs in zoological medicine. Those people have a very narrow sight. They’re not thinking big enough.” The current state of the world, he says, calls for novel solutions to problems, and he believes that there is a place for everyone and their unique talents in this sphere. “Don’t feel like you have to go all-or-nothing, as long as you’re doing something. If you care about it, find some way to get involved.” For his parting advice, he’s willing to veer into sentimental territory. “Follow your heart. I know I sound like a Disney character right now. You’re going to hear a lot of naysayers and you’re going to encounter a lot of challenges, but remember that at the end of these challenges is a life of whatever you choose to do. And you have to make sure that you are fulfilled in doing that. There are ways that each person differs that will guide you to where you’re supposed to be. So follow your heart and don’t let people tell you what to do.” 


Colleen Sorge, Class of 2024, is originally from Long Island, NY. She graduated with a B.S. in Animal Science and a minor in English from Cornell University. She often finds herself missing her humanities courses in vet school and is thrilled she can combine her passions for writing and for veterinary medicine as the WildLIFE Blog Editor.

Conversations with Classmates: Carolina Baquerizo’s Summer with SEZARC

Q: Where was your internship this summer?!

A: In pursuit of a career in zoological medicine, my life has made twists and turns that I could have never imagined. As a Florida girl at heart, I knew I wanted to return to my home state for a summer internship involving wildlife medicine. With the help of my mentor, Dr. Osofsky, Director of the Cornell Wildlife Health Center, I became acquainted with a gem in Northeast Florida: the South-East Zoo Alliance for Reproduction and Conservation (SEZARC). Directed by Dr. Linda Penfold, SEZARC works on reproduction challenges in several US zoos and aquariums across the country. Some of their work involves fertility checks, assisted reproduction, and contraception in wildlife. 

Q: What work did you participate in at your internship?

A: The internship involved many hands-on opportunities. In the lab, I learned how to examine semen characteristics microscopically from stingrays, sharks, tigers, okapis, and many other species! I learned how to utilize ELISA to detect hormone concentrations in elephant stool samples. In the field, I learned how to collect and cryopreserve semen samples from tigers and cheetahs for genome banking purposes. I conducted literature searches on reproduction information for various zoo animals in the office.

In addition to interning at SEZARC, the organization’s connections with other conservation/zoological facilities in North Florida opened up some unexpected doors. I shadowed zoo veterinarians from White Oak Conservation and the Jacksonville Zoo! Under the supervision of White Oak vets, I vaccinated a rhino calf and attended an okapi echocardiogram. At the Jacksonville Zoo, I attended routine elephant health checks and shadowed roseate spoonbill pre-shipment exams. 

Q: What did you gain from this experience?

A: Before this internship, I lacked actual research experience. SEZARC allowed me to explore research with the ability to ask lots of questions! From literature searches, data collection and entry, lab work, and paper writing, I feel I left with a well-rounded understanding of the purpose of wildlife reproduction research for conservation. SEZARC combined my passions for zoological medicine and theriogenology in ways I could have never imagined. I hope to continue working in research as a veterinary student and a zoo veterinarian hopeful.


Carolina Baquerizo, Class of 2024, received her BS in Biological Science from Florida State University. She began volunteering at Zoo Miami when she was 15 and has held multiple zoological internships since then. She aspires to become a zoo veterinarian as a way to participate in ex situ conservation work.

Gazelles, Brain Surgery, Elephants and Kestrels: A Spontaneous, Life-Altering 4 Months in Israel

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, much like everyone else, my summer externship plans were severely impacted. However, in the middle of spring semester 2021, I sought out an opportunity over 5000 miles away that resulted in being one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. The Israeli Wildlife Hospital in Tel Aviv, Israel, which operates as a non-profit organization with shared ownership through the Ramat Gan Safari/Zoological Center and Israeli National Parks Authority, is responsible for the treatment, management and release of all wildlife brought to its doors. As the sole wildlife hospital in the country, this unique hospital manages a heavy and varied daily caseload, treating both wildlife and zoo animals. The hospital employs a multi-faceted team of veterinary professionals, supported by zookeepers, technicians, curators, ecologists, zoologists, and volunteers to work collaboratively to provide advanced animal care. It was in this setting that I was able to experience nearly all facets of wildlife/zoological animal care – my first clinical experience with such varied wildlife/zoo patients.

Sometimes triaging upwards of 20+ patients per morning, animals in need of care were brought in from park rangers and ordinary citizens. Creating a prioritized triage and assessment of the patients was paramount for the maximal survival of the patients. In addition to individual requirements, fluid therapy was a hallmark of initial care, at times requiring catheterization. As a result, I fine-tuned my clinical skills/techniques, facilitated catheters, participated in numerous surgeries and devised treatment plans and dietary/husbandry techniques with the veterinarians and keepers.  

An all-hands-on deck participation was often required for the most fragile of patients, from raptor chicks like common and lesser Kestrels and Scops Owls to non-raptor winged animals like kingfishers, swallows, bee-eaters, and occasionally bats. In terms of small mammals, Western Eurasian hedgehogs infected with Scabies were a common occurrence – sometimes with more severe crusting, and/or unrelated trauma. Further diagnostics employing imaging modalities, fluid plans, dosing/delivering medications, etc. rapidly and efficiently were often needed.Patients often needed temporary homes or to be quarantined to prevent the spread of pathogens between patients. I was impressed by the incredible knowledge of the head keepers, who were so attuned to each species’ requirements and were able to direct appropriately.

The diversity of animals I was exposed to was awesome! Highlights included treating an African elephant in the zoo with signs of colic, chameleons from the Galilee region, stone-curlews, eagle owls,  and a large male ibex with a broken femur. Throughout the three-month externship and while working in visual distance of zebras, rhinos, waterfowl, and the like, I participated in the care of many different types of animals, each of which had specific species protocols. For example, critical protocols for hooved animals like gazelles and ibexes (often brought in as a hit-by-car accidents) were in place to prevent the spread of harmful disease. Foot and Mouth disease is a highly contagious aphthovirus with varying strains throughout the Middle East. If introduced, this would be detrimental to the Safari animals. Impromptu field work required us to meet the park rangers at the gate of the safari, perform a quick and calm physical assessment, collect blood, run an ELISA and once negative, bring the patient into the grounds for a full evaluation. Additionally with these ungulates, capture myopathy was another real and serious implication, given the animal’s extensive journey to the hospital from the wild.

Israel is a small country and the team must constantly create appropriate treatment and release plans for their patients, taking into consideration neighboring countries’ cultural and animal care differences as many of the species are migratory and traverse through borders. Often, we saw raptors with lead bullets, metabolic bone disease, and clear signs of cut wings and rope strangulations. These examples highlight the cultural differences in neighboring countries in direct contrast to Israel’s strict animal care laws – preventing wild animal ownership and hunting.

One case involving the complete exam/work up, diagnosis and neurologic surgical treatment of a female ibex with Sarcocystis neurona sticks out in my memory. The young female ibex was brought to the hospital with an appreciable left-sided head tilt and ipsilateral circling. Radiographs including skull images were taken, revealing no obvious insult or head trauma. Thereafter, a conservative treatment protocol was devised. Without any resumption of clinical signs over the next days, one of the country’s top neuro-specialists from the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine came to perform a thorough neurologic exam and advise the team towards the course of action. A CT was needed in which I, along with one of the house veterinarians, transported the ibex and another neurologic in-patient (a fox) to a nearby advanced small animal practice to perform the CT. A large cyst was evident in the CT images and CSF fluid was collected and analyzed. Sarcocystis neurona was the top differential and we prepped for surgery. It was incredible to watch the surgery and experience this so early in my veterinary career. The surgery was a profound success as the gelatinous cyst (confirmed to be Sarcocystis neurona) atop the cerebellum was removed. Within days of treatment her head tilt resolved and approximately two weeks post-surgery, I participated in her release back to the wild. Driving south, to the Mitzpe Ramon Crater in the Negev desert, the beautiful scenery and landscape was only surpassed by the joy of seeing the release of the ibex to her native environment. She darted out of her carrier and seemed to appreciate the scenery as much as I did. With a parting glance, the animal successfully reintegrated back to her land. The magic of this story was so special that it was written about in the “Yediot Achranot” [one of the major newspapers in Israel] with my name written in Hebrew attached – quite the feature!

Among the usual stresses that come with the end of a semester, I would never have imagined experiencing intense rocket attacks. As sirens sounded, video from the safari displayed a peculiar behavior: adult elephants began circling the calves in a predatory-protective mode  https://www.ynetnews.com/environment/article/BkbDNgOF00. Furthermore, the safari itself was directly impacted when a missile landed adjacent to one of the monkeys exhibits, and shrapnel pierced the back of one primate and simultaneously burned the wings of a nearby bird. Safari veterinarians quickly performed lifesaving treatments on the animals and fortunately, none lost their lives. Both stories were broadcast in the Israeli media outlets and garnered an overflow of support from the Israeli population. While those 11 days were truly frightening, with sirens blaring throughout the night and day at any moment, interceptions from Israel’s Iron Dome Defense system overhead, I was grateful to have a strong support network of family, friends and Cornell faculty willing to work with me to complete the semester.

The four months I spent in Israel posed a truly unforgettable experience. I befriended people from all over the world, explored the country, improved my Hebrew knowledge and underwent substantial personal development. I learned an array of clinical skills, zoological knowledge, and management skills from experts. The high quality of medicine at the Israeli Wildlife Hospital with an incredibly knowledgeable, understanding, positive, and welcoming team made this experience unforgettable.

For students interested in externship opportunities, the team is eager to welcome veterinary students and I couldn’t recommend this experience any further. They may be reached at hospital@safari.co.il (Hebrew knowledge not required) and follow them on Instagram @Israel.wildlife.hospital and the Ramat Gan Safari: @Safari_Israel

Israeli Wildlife Hospital Homepage:

https://www.wildlife-hospital.org.il/en/%D7%93%D7%A3-%D7%94%D7%91%D7%99%D7%AA-copy/


Jared Zion, Class of 2023, hails from New York City. Since Jared’s start at Cornell, he has been in pursuit of exploring unique veterinary opportunities. His passion for non-traditional species is driven by the uniqueness, individual requirements and complexities in every patient – harnessing a huge drive through his path in veterinary medicine. Some of the most important things in Jared’s life involve creating genuine connections, travel, learning about different cultures, and creating a balanced, stress-minimal life that will enhance  his career working with such a variety of species in the future. 

Holy Fledgelings, Batman!

Momma robin sits on her nest at night (left), Escape is futile as a baby tries to see what’s beyond the nest (middle), Momma robin feeding her fledged bird (right)

My mother, a veterinarian with a passion for birds, is my biggest inspiration! She definitely passed on that passion to me.  Growing up in suburbia there was always an injured bird that needed care, and my house during the springtime quickly became rehabber central.  I remember waking up with my mom every few hours to feed the hungry birds and to rewarm the bottles.  I even remember my mom trying to use puppets to feed the birds with some mild success.  There are a lot of things that my mom wished our neighbors and community had known so we could have had fewer patients. I hope to share some of our baby bird tips and tricks with you here! 

Despite all this snow on the ground we are already dreaming of spring—the warm weather, the green trees, and all those baby birds practicing their flying (key word: practicing).  The bird life cycle has several stages: eggs, hatchlings, nestlings, fledgelings, juveniles, and adults.  The hatchling and nestling stages are the equivalent of human infant and toddler stages, respectively.  Fledgelings are like the tweens and teens of the bird world with juveniles encountering the quarter-life crisis.  When a bird is a fledgeling, just like a teen, they start to leave the nest and to spread their wings.  During springtime, these birds tend to give people a big scare. People try to help birds struggling to fly, but they don’t know exactly what to do. Sometimes people see these birds and think they’re helpless and will even take these birds in their houses to “nurse them back to health”.  We all want to do what’s best for our wildlife, so here are some recommendations for what to do when you find a baby bird out of the nest.

2 hatchlings at 1-2 days old

If you see a hatchling bird out of the nest, the best thing you can do is to find the nest. If there are multiple nests in the area, find the one with babies that are closest to the hatchling in age, i.e. they look the same, and gently place the baby back in.  These babies cannot survive outside of the nest on their own.  The difficulty with these babies is that often the parents push them out of the nest. If this happens, there is probably a problem with the baby that we cannot see, or the parents realize they cannot care for all of the eggs.  Putting them back is the best thing you can do for them at this age.

If you see a nestling bird out of the nest, these birds are more independent than the hatchlings but still cannot survive outside of the nest.

Left: nestlings sleeping (5 days old) Right: nestlings begging for food (6 days old)

So once again, find their nest and gently place them back in it.  If these birds are repeatedly found outside of the nest again, it can be for a multitude of reasons including a nest that’s too small, an underlying health problem (for example, the baby may be failing to thrive), or because the baby decided to jump out and spread their wings (or lack thereof). Continuing to put them back in the nest is still the best policy here.

Fledgelings at 12 days old have developed down feathers and are nearly ready to leave

Finally, if you see a fledgeling bird, here’s what to do: these are the most common baby birds that you will find on the ground.Fledgelings (as the name implies) are trying to fledge—develop wing feathers and fly, and therefore leave the nest.  The ability to fly requires good muscle strength and lots of practice, so these birds will continuously hop out of the nest and try to fly…and fall…and try again…and fall.  These birds tend to spend several days on the ground before they’re able to get back up in a tree or in a nest.  So, what do you do? If there are no obvious injuries and no signs of cats (or other predators) in the area, just leave them alone and let nature take its course. The parents are probably keeping an eye on them from afar and are feeding them when necessary so there is no need to provide them with any food.  If there are predators around, you should try to get the baby onto a higher surface like a shrub or back into its nest, if possible.  If the predator is your own outdoor pet, try bringing them inside until the birds are capable of flight.

One of the biggest misconceptions about interacting with baby birds is that once you touch a baby bird, the parents will smell you on the baby and they won’t take care of it after that.  This is false as most birds don’t have a sense of smell and most parents are very happy to have their babies back in the nest. If at any point you find an injured bird (they’re actively bleeding, have an obviously broken wing, are hopping in a circle with a head tilt, etc.) you can always contact your local wildlife rehabber for assistance. So, to summarize: The cardinal rule when finding a baby bird is: when in doubt, put it back in the nest (nestlings and hatchlings) or leave it alone (fledgelings). Stay warm and get Egg-cited for spring!


About Miranda Senft 

Miranda Senft is a current 3rd year veterinary student at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.  She loves small animal and exotics emergency medicine and hopes to become a board-certified criticalist after graduating.  She grew up with a mother who has a Master’s degree in Avian Science (and a DVM) so she has always had a passion for birds and grew up rehabbing numerous wild birds brought to the animal hospital.  She currently lives in Ithaca, loves going birding, and helps out occasionally with mist netting for research projects.  She has a beagle named Ralphie, a cat named Webster, and a very independent and sassy Canary-Winged Parakeet named Macaroni.

Primate Conservation in the Pearl of Africa

A group of baboons at Kibale National Park make behavioral observation easy.

My sophomore year of undergrad at Cornell, I applied on a whim to Hunter College’s winter break study abroad program with Dr. Jessica Rothman, a primatologist in the Anthropology Department at Hunter. I have been passionate about wildlife since childhood.  Even as a toddler, I would stare unblinkingly at my safari motion lamp, watching the elephants, giraffes, and lions strut in an endless loop and dreaming of the day that I would see them for myself. When I was admitted into the program, my dream was coming true. 

Tito, a habituated chimpanzee in Kibale National Park, takes advantage of a photo op.

It’s no secret that there is a danger in setting high expectations. In the weeks leading up to my 2018 trip to Uganda, I had ample time to question whether my study abroad experience could possibly live up to my hopes. And I can’t count the number of times I screamed at the television in horror in the week before my trip, as the Weather Channel heralded the arrival of Winter Storm Grayson, the bomb cyclone that slammed the East Coast two days before my departure from JFK Airport. Pre-trip jitters aside, I can say with tremendous gratitude that this trip managed to exceed my already sky high expectations. This experience lent me an educated view of the nuanced complexities of conservation. 

 The course, Tropical Forest Conservation, was primarily geared towards field research, so we spent time learning how to identify flora and fauna in the forest, how to track primates as they moved throughout the forest, and how to best observe them in Kibale National Park. This first leg of the trip allowed me to see a range of species in their natural habitats and to see for myself the ecological diversity present in the park that makes its protection essential. I also gained a better understanding of the unique opportunities and challenges associated with field work. 

The second leg of the trip in Queen Elizabeth Park consisted of game drives, during which we saw lions, elephants, warthogs, hippos, African buffalo, and more. Seeing these species for myself was definitely among my favorite parts of the trip. However, throughout the course, we also heard lectures from various conservation workers in Uganda, from researchers to members of the Uganda Wildlife Authority. I had the chance to hear firsthand about some of the challenges of conservation and to understand the complexities of achieving lasting change. Before this course, I saw the challenges to conservation as being quite simple. I imagined those who would seek to harm animals as movie-style villains, all but swathed in black capes. The narrative is certainly riddled with villainy, but I now know just how many complicating factors there are. Many people in Uganda have complex relationships with their native wildlife because the animals are inadvertently hindering their way of life. A single elephant can consume in one night the crops that would feed a family for a year. Wild animals can at times pose a threat to the livelihoods of local people, so asking them to help conserve their wildlife is more complicated than I had initially thought.

Elephants at Queen Elizabeth National Park enjoy a dip.

I was so intrigued by the challenges to conservation that months after my trip, I interviewed Dr. Colin Chapman, a professor in the Anthropology Department at McGill University, Canada Research Chair in Primate Ecology and Conservation, and the head of the Kibale Monkey Project in Uganda about his conservation and humanitarian work. Dr. Chapman’s extensive research work around the globe has lent him a unique perspective on how to best promote an interest in conservation. He told me that “Almost everywhere the local people want to conserve. There’s a real pride in their forests and their animals. When they don’t conserve, it’s mostly because they feel they don’t have a choice. If you have to cut down a tree to send your children to school, what’s your choice? I think that’s the thing that I’ve found around the world and I find it really positive. If we can provide things that make life a little bit easier, it’s basically going to mean that there’s a big will to conserve.” My own experience in Uganda led me to similar conclusions. Dr. Chapman’s efforts to improve park-people interactions have already yielded positive results. (For more information, I recommend visiting Dr. Chapman’s website: http://www.chapmancolin.com/ ). 

The issues surrounding conservation are so multi-faceted, they will require an equally complex approach to solving them. My trip to Uganda and the conversations that ensued were a tremendous learning experience for me. Through my different conservation and wildlife medicine related experiences, I have met so many different people with different backgrounds, opinions, and skill sets. What unifies them is a passion for conservation and a drive to support animal populations and their environment, and, in doing so, better the human experience. 

 


Colleen Sorge, class of 2024, is a Cornell DVM student from Long Island, NY. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Animal Science from Cornell University in 2020. She has a wide range of interests within the veterinary field, including both small animal and wildlife medicine.