There is a critical shortage of veterinary pathologists in the specialty area of wildlife disease. To address this problem, the WCS’ Department of Pathology offers post-doctoral training in pathology through annually alternating opportunities for pathology Residents or Fellows. The aim of these programs is to build a cadre of experts with the technical skills, knowledge base, and experience required to cultivate successful careers as anatomic veterinary pathologists focused on the diseases of free-ranging wildlife, zoo animals and domestic animals.

The Residency is a collaborative three-year training program established by the WCS and Cornell University. The first two years of the program are spent at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, NY and the third is spent at the WCS’ Bronx Zoo in the Bronx, NY. The program is designed to identify health issues in WCS collection animals and wildlife in in-country conservation projects and in companion animal, livestock and non-domestic animals that present for diagnostic work-ups to Cornell’s Veterinary Hospital through gross and histologic examinations. In addition, a primary goal of the program is to prepare the Resident for eligibility and specialty certification as a Pathologist by the American College of Veterinary Pathology. 

The Fellowship in Wildlife and Zoo Animals Pathology is an independent program provided by the WCS that alternates annually with the residency program. It is a one-year position for a qualified veterinarian with previous pathology and residency training. The program provides the opportunity to enhance and further develop skills in comparative veterinary pathology with an emphasis on the diseases of free-ranging wildlife and zoo animals. Both programs are designed to prepare pathologists for a career focused on health and disease in non-domestic animals in a number of settings including conservation, academia or governmental or non-govermental agencies.

PRIMARY CONTACTS:

Wildlife Conservation Society Contact: Dr. D. McAloose, Head, Department of Pathology, Wildlife Conservation Society, Zoological Health Program, 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10460 Email: dmcaloose@wcs.org

Cornell Contact: Elena Alina Demeter, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVP, Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, 240 Farrier Road, Ithaca, NY, 14853 Email: ed478@cornell.edu