Category Archives: Externships

Conserving Imperiled Wild Cats through Reproductive Research

  By Rimsha Malik • June 14, 2024 , ,

Last year at the special species symposium, I had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Bill Swanson speak about his work at CREW, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden’s Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife. CREW applies assisted reproductive technologies for the conservation and propagation of wild animals, especially rhinos, bears and felids. One of their major priorities is to collect and cryopreserve sperm from all the males within zoo-housed populations. The frozen sperm is stored in CREW’s CryoBioBank, which can provide samples for future artificial insemination procedures and serve as a safeguard against the loss of genetic diversity.

At the symposium, Dr. Swanson discussed the artificial insemination surgeries and new technologies that were being used in the veterinary field for conservation and research purposes, and I truly fell in love with the idea of wildlife theriogenology. Upon completion of the symposium, I reached out to Dr. Swanson, who then put me in contact with Dr. Lindsey Vasandt, the Director of the Imperiled Cat Signature Program. She was quick to respond, and suggested a zoom meeting, one in which we ended up discussing my career interests, plans for the future, etc. Not only was she very reassuring when it came to my newer interest in reproduction, but also gave quite a bit of advice and ideas for my future career path. During our talk, she mentioned that CREW frequently hosts student externs that are interested in wildlife theriogenology, and I expressed my interest in doing such during a break in vet school. Once we lined up our schedules, we decided on a two-week externship during winter break.

While externing at CREW, I had the opportunity to travel to the Chattanooga Zoo, TN and Toledo Zoo, OH, where three snow leopards and one jaguar were scheduled to be anesthetized for their annual physical examinations and we opportunistically decided to perform reproductive exams (and semen collection in the males). In the female snow leopard, we performed a reproductive exam along with an endoscopy to investigate a potential muco/hydrometra that had previously been found on diagnostic imaging. In the two male snow leopards and one male jaguar, we performed reproductive examinations as well as semen collection via electroejaculation. I had the amazing opportunity to take an active part in the process by helping with the examinations as well as running the machine for the electroejaculations. I then aided in the process of semen freezing via cryopreservation for storage in the “frozen zoo” held at the CREW facility, working on a step-by-step basis set by protocols for ensuring proper additive amounts and hopefully, freezing success. Once we returned to the CREW facility, I helped in the preparation of a genetic study in their domestic cat population by performing castrations, assisting with semen collections via electroejaculation and urinary catheter placement, and blood work on four males. My first ever neuters!

 

My favorite memory would have to be my first semen collection. Not only was it on a jaguar, which is a truly remarkable species, but we collected over a billion sperm total from him (that is quite a lot, especially for a feline). This is something I will never forget, no matter how silly it might sound. Knowing how important it is for preserving genetics for generations to come, it felt so good to know that we collected and stored so many chances for future jaguar conceptions. This is huge in the field of conservation, and who doesn’t love the idea of baby jaguars!

I went into the externship most excited to work with snow leopards, a species that I have always idolized and dreamed of working with. It was so rewarding to not only see these animals up close and personal, but contributing to their future successes in reproduction made me feel like I was truly making a difference. I have to say they were a lot fluffier then they even look, and I was in complete awe of their huge tail, which was both long and thick with fur. This experience truly made me fall in love snow leopards, making their way towards the top of my list when it comes to favorite animals. I was so lucky to get the chance to work with them, and have since heard and seen so many success stories in snow leopard breeding across the country, making my time with them just that much more memorable.

During this experience, I truly found a path in veterinary medicine that I am confident in and proud of pursuing. I learned so much about myself, my aspirations, and the veterinary community, and I feel like I gained such a higher appreciation for conservation medicine and all of the factors that go into to ensuring the safety of animals for generations to come. I also found such a great mentor in Dr. Vansandt, and she is someone I feel as though I can always turn to for career and professional advice, questions, and concerns. I look forward to staying in contact with her for the rest of my veterinary school experience and beyond.

I have always been interested in pursuing a career in zoological medicine, a field that I find intriguing and necessary for ensuring the protection of wildlife and educating people around the world. However, my interest in reproductive medicine/theriogenology has grown over the years, especially considering its impact on conservation. Growing up, conservation was always the number one factor I had on my mind when it came to my career, and knowing that I can tie my passion for both zoological medicine and reproduction brings me nothing but excitement. This externship allowed me to explore what a career in this field can look like, and how I can tie these two loves together in a practical and achievable way. My time at CREW also allowed me to grow my understanding of the impact and importance of research on conservation, highlighting how much I would like to incorporate it into my future career.

My best recommendations to students interested in pursuing a career in the wildlife/zoo field would be to take every opportunity you get and run with it. Whether it aligns with your career path or not, you never know how much an experience can influence your clinical skills, professionalism, or even your growth as an individual. I have experience in lab animal medicine, wildlife rehabilitation, and production animal medicine to name a few, all of which have shaped me into the person I am today. As a future vet, it is so important to value every animal, no matter how big or small, scaly or furry. Every animal, every experience and every moment matters when it comes to becoming your best self as a professional and individual, so that one day you can make valuable contributions to the field of veterinary medicine.

 

 

My name is Natalie Smith and I am in the class of 2027. I am originally from Youngstown, NY and I obtained my BS in Biomedical Science: Medical and Veterinary Sciences from the University of New Hampshire in May 2022. I am interested in pursuing a career in zoological/wildlife conservation medicine with a focus in theriogenology for conservation purposes. I also am very passionate about travel, so I would love to incorporate it in my future career. I am a huge proponent of mental health and love to share my experiences and advice for vet school via social media @natalie.vet !!

Winter Wonders during a Seneca Park Zoo Externship!

  By Rimsha Malik • February 18, 2024 ,

Choosing Seneca Park Zoo:

Being a Rochester native, Seneca Park Zoo, home to nearly 100 different species, has always been my home zoo. A couple of years ago, Dr. Chris McKinney, who had worked at the small animal GP my family pets see, transitioned from relief veterinarian to full-time zoo veterinarian. So, as a veterinary student very much interested in a career in zoo medicine, I reached out. And for the past couple of years, as my schedule allowed, I went in for a few days here and there to shadow. This past winter, my schedule finally opened up long enough to facilitate a ~3-week externship, and I took full advantage!

Typical Day:

Canada lynx receiving anesthetized physical exam and survey radiographs.

Each day at the zoo started off similarly enough – review the previous days’ keeper reports for all of the animals housed at the zoo, check in on hospitalized animals in the clinic (if there were any), and then check on any of the animals that had a problem (big or small) flagged in their reports.

Beyond that, there was no “typical day” – which for me, makes zoo medicine so appealing and such a unique challenge. A few days were spent working through planned procedures – an anesthetized full physical/radiographs on a Canada Lynx, annual exams for the Burmese pythons, etc. Others we’d find ourselves bouncing between exhibits as various questions/concerns from the keepers would arise throughout the day. Others yet, we would have a relatively quiet afternoon – allowing me to take full advantage of the veterinary library or review literature to update protocols in advance of the zoo’s AZA accreditation renewal this spring.

And while there was no typical day, the experience as a whole was reflective of what can be expected with a career in zoo medicine – a balance of paperwork/meetings, speaking with keepers, observing the animals, and the actual hands-on clinical work with the animals.

Olive baboon receiving laser therapy treatment

Favorite Memories:

Having learned so much and worked with so many incredible people and animals, it’s impossible to pare it down to one favorite memory or experience. From laser therapy on a baboon, to blood draws on a bearded dragon, to evaluating lameness on a gray wolf, I got to do and see so much. But, some of my personal highlights included the visits to the giraffe barn, working with the sea lions, and Loki (a domestic rat).

About 2 weeks before my externship, the zoo announced the birth of a giraffe calf. And then again, just 2 days before my externship, the zoo announced the birth of a second giraffe calf. And of course, while the calves were incredibly cute and a joy to observe, following Kipenzi’s case (one of the mothers) was particularly memorable. This past summer, Kipenzi was found to have a mass on her jaw that was biopsied and confirmed to be squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Kipenzi’s care includes scheduled radiographs to assess progression and the application of an immunostimulant as a chemotherapeutic.

Working with the sea lions was another highlight for me. During my externship, there was a flare-up in corneal pathologies. With the sea lions receiving such extensive training and already being conditioned to receive eye-drops daily, I got to have a more hands-on role in this case which was very rewarding. It also led to discussions between myself and the veterinary team on corneal management for sea lions – something we are hoping to potentially explore as a research study in the future.

Feeding/training session with California Sea lions in which we are also able to examine their eyes.

 

 

 

And lastly there is Loki the domestic rat – one of the few patients who didn’t quickly scurry away upon the veterinary team’s arrival. Loki had originally presented for a small mass on his cheek which was drained and debrided. We made several follow-up visits to assess his wound as it healed, and Loki, who liked to climb up our arms and perch on our shoulders during his re-checks, quickly became a favorite patient of mine.

Recommendations:

As cliche as it may sound, my biggest piece of advice is to take advantage of any opportunity that comes your way – be it small animal, large animal, exotics, or zoo! All of the zoo/wildlife veterinarians I’ve had the privilege of working with up to this point, have all emphasized the importance of having a good foundational knowledge in the domestic species. And even in my 3 short weeks at Seneca Park Zoo, I found this to be true – I was constantly relating management of species like wolves, giraffes, elephants, etc. back to that foundation of dog, cat, cow, and horse.

Final Thoughts:

I am so incredibly grateful to the amazing team at Seneca Park Zoo – Dr. Chis McKinney, technicians Robin and Tammy, and all of the keepers and curators I met. Everyone there was not only eager to teach and share their knowledge/experiences, but also incredibly supportive and encouraging. I’ve left this experience with so much new knowledge and many incredible memories that I will take with me as I continue to navigate my journey in zoo medicine.

 

Erin Guntrum, Class of 2025, is from Rochester, NY and received her B.S. in both Animal Behavior, Ecology, & Conservation (ABEC) and Biological Science from Canisius College (now Canisius University) in 2021. While at Cornell, Erin has been a student technician at the Janet L. Swanson Wildlife Hospital. She has also been a member of ZAWS, SAVMA, and the behavior and therio clubs. Erin hopes to pursue a career in zoological medicine and participate in research related to conservation, behavioral endocrinology, and theriogenology.

Baby Giraffes Galore! Great Adventures at Six Flags Wild Safari

  By Rimsha Malik • November 28, 2023 ,

Why did you choose to pursue this particular experience?

In the summer of 2020, I began working at Six Flags Great Adventure Wild Safari in Jackson, NJ, as a seasonal warden focusing specifically on the husbandry of various species in the safari park. The following summer, I participated in a pre-veterinary internship. Since entering vet school, I have continued to return home to the safari on holiday breaks. It felt only right that my last summer, prior to entering clinics, be spent at the place that has helped me discover my passion for zoological medicine and continues to challenge me to improve in the clinical skills, diagnostics techniques, and treatment methods involved in the field. 

What was a typical day like?

While participating in the veterinary internship, I was mainly responsible for the care of the animals that resided in the clinic and assisting the veterinary staff with procedures and treatments. A typical day began with bottle feeding and treating animals in the clinic followed by accompanying one of the vets on morning rounds of the park. After we rode through the safari, following up on patients and observing all the species within the park, each day was variable. This is the aspect of zoo medicine that has always been so appealing to me! Some days were booked with planned procedures and check-ins on species of all shapes and sizes. Others would start off calmly and the course of the day would change abruptly with reports of concerns out in the safari. Throughout the day, I would keep track of neonatal feeding schedules and monitoring critical cases that were in the clinic. I also played a role in teaching the pre-veterinary interns that were rotating through the clinic anatomic and physiologic concepts that will hopefully prepare them for their future goals of veterinary school. No matter which path the day took, each day would end with another drive through the safari and watching the elephants walk back to the barn.

What was your favorite memory from this experience? 

Each time I return to the safari, I love seeing animals that were hand-reared or patients in the clinic, doing well on exhibit. In the early winter of 2021, a young Roosevelt Elk was brought into the clinic with a severe infection in her hoof. While there for winter break, I had the opportunity to help hand-rear the elk and assist with chemical immobilizations, bandage changes, and radiographs of her distal limb. After a lengthy period of treatment, her condition began to improve. When returning this summer, I was excited to see how well she was doing as she began her reintroduction phase with other species in the American Section!

What species did you enjoy working with the most?

Nothing could top the giraffe calves born this summer! One in particular, Chich, was by far my favorite as I had the privilege of caring for the not–so-little-guy in the clinic. Being born at roughly 200lbs, Chich was having difficulty standing on his own, and needed additional care to help him get back on his feet! 

What were the outcomes of this experience?

Through interning in the safari, I have become more confident in all aspects of veterinary medicine. I developed essential clinical skills like venipuncture and injection administration, while also expanding upon skills, like darting, are more specific to zoo medicine. Improving upon evaluating diagnostics, specifically interpreting radiographs and blood work, was a goal I set for myself this summer, and through the guidance of my mentors I feel like I have made strides towards achieving that. The most valuable veterinary skill I feel I improved upon was my critical thinking, as my thoughts on every aspect of a case were always prompted before the next steps were pursued. This improved not only my thought process surrounding the pharmacology of chemical immobilization and treatment of disease immensely, but also allowed me to step back and consider factors like herd dynamics when it came to the methods that would be used for diagnostics and treatment. Overall, building the trust of my mentors to be more involved in the cases within safari, teaching the pre-veterinary interns, and beginning to write medical records, was a result of this internship that I was beyond grateful for. 

 

What are your goals in veterinary medicine? 

With ambitions to become a zoo veterinarian, this opportunity allowed me to experience what every day could look like within a zoo. After being exposed to field medicine in the safari setting, it has fine-tuned my goals to aspire to work in a safari setting. Intercommunication between a number of species over a vast landscape creates a whole different aspect of veterinary medicine that is scarcely found anywhere else. One must incorporat

e multi-herd dynamics, population medicine, and focus on the individual animal all under one umbrella, which excites me. With so many different paths open to pursue in veterinary medicine, being passionate about what you are doing and genuinely happy in a position is something that should never be compromised. After this internship, I have cemented that zoo medicine is where I am meant to be, and where I hope to find myself in the future.

What are your recommendations to students interested in the wildlife/zoo field?

I would advise those interested in the wildlife/zoo field to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way because you never know what doors that experience may open for you. Enter every new experience with an open mind and this will allow you to take away the most you can from each. Once you find what makes you happy, work hard and find a strong support system that you can rely on to help you remember why you love doing what you are doing if times get tough.

Erica Jackson, Class of 2025, is originally from Toms River, NJ and obtained her BS in Pre-Veterinary Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. While at Cornell, Erica was the President of the Zoo and Wildlife Society and a student technician in the Exotics Department of the CUHA. She also was a member of SAVMA, AABP, and enjoyed choreographing and dancing in the Dance Collective. Erica aspires to pursue zoological medicine in the future and is very appreciative of her mentors and advisor for helping her develop as a veterinary student and professional. 

The Daphne Diaries: Reflecting on my Externship at the Abilene Zoo

  By Colleen Sorge • February 13, 2023

 

 Macho the black rhino greets his adoring fans before undergoing routine venipuncture.

My experience as a first-year vet student in 2020 was largely shaped by the pandemic and the many limitations it imposed. When I first learned about the Abilene Zoo in April 2021, it was through a Cornell Zoo and Wildlife Society (ZAWS) lecture given by Dr. Stephanie Carle, the Abilene Zoo’s senior veterinarian, over Zoom. Spending my lunch hour puzzling through case-based questions with my classmates (albeit virtually) offered a glimpse into the many opportunities available to us as veterinary students—something I had lost sight of somewhat amid the organized chaos of first year. Dr. Carle concluded her talk by discussing the Abilene Zoo’s veterinary externship program. Immediately, I had my sights set on participating in the program.

 

I had my chance in June 2022 when, funded by a Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA) Veterinary Experience Grant, I traveled to Abilene, Texas for a three-week externship. It was an adventure over a year in the making, and despite how high I had allowed my expectations to climb in that time, the experience managed to exceed them.

 Daphne enjoys her morning feeding!

The Abilene Zoo is home to over 280 species. The first resident I met upon my arrival was also one of the zoo’s newer residents. Daphne is a giant anteater who was born at the zoo in March of 2022 and, upon my arrival, was living in the clinic to receive round the clock care from the zoo’s veterinary and animal care staff. Daphne is a twin, and her mother was unable to care for both Daphne and her twin brother Arnaud. With input from zoos across the country, the Abilene Zoo was able to craft a customized care plan for Daphne that allowed her to gain weight and overcome a myriad of complications so that by the time I met her, she was thriving.

During my time at the zoo, I had the opportunity to bottle feed Daphne and to accompany her on her excursions to see the zoo and interact with her anteater family members. As I told Daphne during one of her late-night bottle feedings, I am also a twin and, unlike my sister, I spent an extended period in the hospital as a baby. I thought Daphne might appreciate that we were kindred spirits. (Her expression remained pretty neutral, so it’s hard to say if the point hit home. Perhaps I saw the corner of her long snout pull up in a smile.)

 One of the zoo’s resident roadrunners undergoes a pre-shipment exam.

While I spent lots of time with Daphne, I also had opportunities to interact with many of the zoo’s species. Highlights of my experience included assisting with a pre-shipment exam for a roadrunner, helping to treat pododermatitis in one of the zoo’s resident flamingoes, participating in a neonatal exam of a steenbok, and medicating a capybara with conjunctivitis.

Other favorite opportunities included monitoring Jamie, a heavily pregnant giraffe in the zoo’s herd, and examining Rico, a fossa hospitalized after fracturing his humeral condyle. I was ultimately able to travel with a team from the zoo to Dallas Veterinary Surgical Center to observe Rico’s orthopedic surgery.

When I wasn’t seeing cases in the hospital with Dr. Carle and Dr. Mike Nance, the zoo’s second veterinarian, I was able to explore the zoo and gained a better understanding of the husbandry practices used by zoo staff to keep the collection animals healthy and happy. I was also able to participate in events hosted by the zoo, including Dreamnight, a cost-free event allowing children with special medical needs to enjoy the zoo with their families. This allowed me to feel at home in Abilene.

 Rico the fossa receives a physical exam after sustaining an orthopedic injury.

The Abilene Zoo is also home to a clinic exclusively for injured and orphaned native birds. While I worried that my bird experience was somewhat deficient when I arrived in Abilene, during my externship I was able to practice my diagnostic and clinical skills while also improving my native bird identification skills. I didn’t expect to enjoy my work in the rehabilitation center as much as I did. However, working towards returning wild birds to their habitats, thereby giving them a second chance and helping to support their ecosystems, was incredibly rewarding.

When I wasn’t at the zoo, I was grateful to be able to accompany Dr. Carle and Dr. Nance as they fulfilled their other professional obligations. During my three weeks, their enthusiasm for teaching and fielding questions never waned. I visited the Abilene Animal Services Adoption Center to complete evaluations of new small animal residents, and also joined Dr. Carle during her shifts at the local emergency clinic. There, I saw cases I likely wouldn’t have encountered in the northeast, including advanced heartworm disease and rattlesnake envenomation.

 A neonatal steenbok undergoes her first exam.

I gained a great deal of knowledge from participating in the journal group at the zoo and working through sample cases with the veterinary team. I was able to live at the zoo throughout my externship, so my down time was spent conducting research and preparing a presentation I gave at the close of the externship on nutritional care for zoo animals.

 

I am tremendously thankful for all of the people and animals I met and learned from while in Abilene. I left this externship armed with new knowledge and skills, photos to cherish, mentors to look up to, and a newfound appreciation for Texas cuisine.

 More bonding time with Daphne!

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.

Faculty Focus: A Conversation with Dr. Robin Radcliffe

  By Colleen Sorge • November 17, 2021 , , ,

Several weeks ago my Block III tutor group was abuzz with the news that our tutor, Dr. Robin Radcliffe, and his colleagues had been honored with the 2021 Ig Nobel Prize in recognition of their work evaluating the efficacy of transporting rhinoceroses by hanging them upside down from helicopters. The prize, awarded every year since 1991, aims to “honor achievements that first make people laugh, and then make them think.” To those of us in the tutor group interested in conservation and wildlife medicine, it was a welcome reminder that we are surrounded by faculty at Cornell who have done what can sometimes feel like the impossible: forged a career in the world of zoo and wildlife medicine. Charged with renewed inspiration, I reached out to Dr. Radcliffe in the hopes of learning more about his career trajectory and his current work.

Dr. Radcliffe obtained his veterinary degree from the University of Minnesota alongside his twin brother & fellow Cornell faculty member, Dr. Rolfe Radcliffe. Says Dr. Radcliffe, “We went from kindergarten through vet school together.” While a vet student Dr. Radcliffe pursued wildlife-centric externships and experiences, though he is quick to note, “I was a little bit disheartened by vet school because there weren’t as many opportunities as there are now in wildlife.” After obtaining his DVM, Dr. Radcliffe worked in a mixed animal practice and then spent a year working exclusively with camelids before returning to Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, where he had been an extern, to work as an associate veterinarian. He later took over as Director of Animal Health. While at Fossil Rim, Dr. Radcliffe completed the requirements for board certification in the American College of Zoological Medicine through the experiential track. Of his somewhat unconventional route to board certification he says, “I preferred the experiential pathway because I wasn’t interested in a zoological position. I knew I wanted to work with field conservation and free-ranging wildlife populations, and even now there’s only one approved wildlife health residency. There’s probably going to be more coming, but when I went to school there were no approved wildlife residencies so it was harder then.” He spent about a decade at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center working largely with rhinoceroses before moving to the International Rhino Foundation and eventually, to Cornell. At Cornell, Dr. Radcliffe teaches, conducts ongoing research into a wide variety of endangered species, and has developed training programs, most significantly, the Engaged Cornell Program.

The diversity of his work is part of what appeals to him, according to Dr. Radcliffe, though in recent years he has been taking on more projects close to home. “I’ve spent a good part of my career traveling all over the world which was great—I loved it—but I’m also very interested in making sure that we conserve and protect the wildlife right here at home. I think that’s important. If you’re going to do international work, I think it’s essential that you address or at least have some experience with conservation in your own part of the world because so much of it is communities and people.” While he has tremendously enjoyed the opportunities that his job has afforded, he notes, “Most people think that it’s so glamorous to be a wildlife veterinarian, and it can be, but there’s so much work that goes into a successful partnership and a field project that people don’t necessarily recognize up front. I do spend a lot of time on that, on communication with partners, grant writing, and helping to sustain the projects that I am invested in.” Another fundamental part of successful projects abroad, according to Dr. Radcliffe, is a commitment to maintaining relationships with research partners. “I think for me, the most important thing is curiosity, and not just scientific curiosity, but curiosity about the place you’re going and the environment, the people, the language, the culture. You should go into a place prepared to learn the language and appreciate the culture. For me, a long term partnership is one in which I come away with it feeling like I have friendships and long term relationships there. I can communicate with my colleagues any time, day or night. They will help me in a pinch and I’ll do anything for them. It’s also little things, like when we publish anything, we always include the local authors and, more often than not, the local authors are lead authors on the publication.”

For students looking to enter the increasingly competitive field, Dr. Radcliffe’s first suggestion is to capitalize on the opportunities we have here at Cornell Vet. “I think there’s a lot of expertise here at Cornell and there’s a lot of opportunities.” These include Engaged Cornell, Expanding Horizons, and a myriad of courses aimed at students interested in pursuing careers in zoo, wildlife, and exotics medicine. Dr. Radcliffe teaches a 3-part course called Conservation with Communities for One Health, which reflects the multi-disciplinary mindset crucial to effective conservation work. Both undergraduate and veterinary students are able to take this course, and a subset of them travel in teams to field sites in the Congo, Uganda, and Indonesia to participate in projects with institutions that Dr. Radcliffe has built relationships with over the years, including the Jane Goodall Institute and WWF-Indonesia. Coursework aside, Dr. Radcliffe encourages students to take advantage of networking opportunities and to pursue externships that excite them.

Between training the next generation of wildlife veterinarians and working to save endangered species, Dr. Radcliffe has a full plate to say the least. Amid the challenges his work presents he remains optimistic, citing a recent experience in Alaska working with gyrfalcon. “Their attitude in Alaska is let’s save the gyrfalcon and the Arctic ecosystem before everything’s gone. My message for future wildlife students is this: let’s be proactive and use our resources the best we can because it’s very expensive to recover endangered species, it’s very expensive to do so in a zoo in a captive setting. The Alaskan attitude, which I love, is let’s take care of our species before they become endangered!” In the case of already endangered species like Javan and Sumatran rhinos, there are tremendous obstacles to overcome. Still, Dr. Radcliffe feels his most impactful work may be done in mentoring colleagues and training students. “That’s the kind of impact that I feel is the most important that I can make in the long term.”

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.

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

  By Jared Zion • October 24, 2021 ,

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. 

International Experiences Application Deadline: January 20, 2017

  By Wildlife Blog Editor • February 18, 2017 ,

The deadline for applying to International Experiences program is January 20, 2017.

“Thanks to the generosity of the Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies at Cornell, we are pleased to announce that we have funds available to support 3-4 veterinary students who are interested in international experiential opportunities in any geographic region of the world. Experiences are not restricted to developing countries. Experience may be pursued anytime between summer 2017- spring 2018.”

Download the PDF call for proposals here: International Experiences- call for proposals 2017