The Clinical Department staff apply their medical expertise to the care of the animals in WCS's collections at the zoos and aquarium in New York. They also work with wild animals in both our own region and around the world, to monitor the health of wildlife and to identify new and emerging diseases. The Department consists of veterinary clinicians, residents, technicians, medical records specialists, animal care personnel, and administrative support staff. The four full-time veterinarians are all recognized experts in the field of wild animal care as board certified specialists in zoological or avian medicine. Facilities and equipment include: a sterile surgery suite, imaging suite (digital radiography and ultrasound), clinical pathology laboratory, surgical preparation area, pharmacy, procedure room, intensive care, kitchen, animal wards and barn, offices, locker rooms, conference room, medical records area, biomaterials archive, and a medical library and video conferencing center.
The Clinical Department offers a three-year residency training program to qualified veterinarians to develop their medical and surgical expertise, skills, and experience in clinical zoological practice. Upon completion of this program, graduate residents will be highly competent professionals prepared to take leadership roles in the field of zoological and wildlife medicine at zoos, aquariums, or in field positions with wild free-ranging animals.
The program is designed to graduate fully trained, American College of Zoological Medicine board eligible individuals. There are two residents in the program at any given time. The training is divided into three segments: clinical responsibilities, teaching, and research - 100 percent of which relate to zoological medicine. With our expanded Wildlife Health Center at the Bronx Zoo as a base, residents are part of a team that provides services to all five of WCS's Living Institutions. Residents also interface with the Department of Pathology and Disease Investigation. Their training also includes opportunities to participate in health work with local free-ranging species.
APPLYING:
Applications are currently being accepted for our residency program. All applications must be submitted through the Veterinary Internship and Residency Matching Program: www.virmp.org. We are hosting three virtual Open Houses for the current recruitment cycle on 12/19/23, 01/11/24, and 01/25/24. To RSVP, please email Ms. Meredith Barton at mbarton@wcs.org. For general program questions, please contact Dr. Jean A. Paré: jpare@wcs.org.
Thumbnail and Banner Photo Credits: Julie Larsen Maher/ WCS