Animal Health Zoobiquity
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MYZOO for members of Woodland Park Zoo • FALL 2014 ANIMAL HEALTH AN INSIDE LOOK AT THE ZOO’S VETERINARY TEAM ZOOBIQUITY A CROSS-SPECIES APPROACH TO HEALING MYZOO ON THE COVER FALL 2014 Dr. Darin Collins gets a look at a western DEAR MEMBERS, pond turtle found in Edmonds. Woodland Park Zoo performed a health assessment Welcome to this issue of MyZoo magazine, full of fascinating stories of how our top-notch HERE’S TO of the turtle to determine its potential for veterinary team cares for the health of 1,000+ animals residing at the zoo and elsewhere. release into protected wild habitat for LETTER From newborns to geriatrics, vertebrates to invertebrates, they’ve got health covered. OUR HEALTH! western pond turtles in Washington. Ryan Hawk, WPZ In the past, ecologists studied ecosystems and species populations while veterinarians studied From gorilla physical rehab to porcupine FROM THE diseases of individual animals, and sometimes wild animals. As diverse changes in the environ- X-rays, and Seattle’s wetlands to Papua New ment occur, we notice changes in wild animal diseases. New diseases emerge and sometimes Guinea’s forests, Woodland Park Zoo is PRESIDENT even jump across species. As a result, many scientists and veterinarians have begun to talk committed to ensuring a healthy future for about Eco Health – the intricate relationship between healthy ecosystems and healthy animals (both individuals and populations). It recognizes disease as an environmental issue, and is even our communities, our natural spaces and the Matt Hagen redefining the boundaries between animal and human medicine. It won’t surprise you to wildlife we share them with. In this issue, CONTENTS learn that our veterinary team has been thinking this way for a long time. we’ll explore the extraordinary care the ANIMAL HEALTH ALL STARS .............................4 Our team not only addresses animal health and reproductive care at the zoo; they serve zoo’s dedicated veterinarians and animal as knowledgeable resources on wildlife health in our community. For example, aquatic health experts provide to more than 1,000 ZOOBIQUITY .........................................6 species are very sensitive to environmental changes, often acting as sentinels, or warning animals that call Woodland Park Zoo home. signals, of ecosystem health problems. For over 20 years, we have collaborated with HEALTHY VILLAGE, HEALTHY FOREST. 10 the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife to rebuild populations of endangered This fall, the zoo will take part in the annual western pond turtles (featured on our cover) through an innovative head start effort in Zoobiquity conference. In partnership LOVE FOR LEONEL ....................................12 our Northwest species recovery program. Once near extinction in Washington state due with the University of Washington, the to loss of wetland habitat and predation by non-native bull frogs, the native turtle is now zoo will host veterinarians and physicians SOLAR POWERED HOOD ..............................14 moving toward recovery. Our next release of more than 100 turtles is August 8. in a two-day workshop which bridges But the population is not yet stable and faces challenges. Recently, our veterinarians have human medicine, veterinary medicine and X-RAY VISIONS .......................................18 begun addressing a newly discovered threat, ulcerative shell disease, to investigate its cause evolutionary biology. Discussing the links and treat it successfully. Prior to release in protected wild sites, our vets ensure that the MEMBERSHIP MATTERS ................................19 best available protocols test for diseases in zoo-reared turtles and also in Oregon spotted between animal and human health is a fairly frogs, another species in our recovery program. Chytridiomycosis, a fast-spreading fungus, novel conversation, but one that could AMPHIBIAN MONITORING .............................21 has already decimated 30 percent of amphibian populations worldwide. In the field, generate breakthroughs within both fields. ecologists and biologists monitor the head-started animals’ reproductive progress. HERP HEAVEN: IN YOUR OwN BACKYARD ...............22 We hope you enjoy this special, behind- Ralph Waldo Emerson once said that “the first wealth is health.” It’s a truism that your the-scenes look at Woodland Park Zoo’s ZOO SPROUTS TAKE ON VETERINARY MEDICINE .........24 zoo embraces and celebrates. Every healthy zoo animal inspires more people to share nature’s wealth with wildlife. exemplary animal health program and its connection to communities and wildlife CLASSES AND CAMPS .................................26 Sincerely, across the world! MYZOO KIDS: VETERINARY PRACTICE ..................28 Deborah B. Jensen, Ph.D. President and CEO WOODLAND PARK ZOO Deborah B. Jensen Ph.D. BOARD MEMBERS ZOO HOURS MyZoo FALL 2014. Volume 16. Issue 3. OUR MISSION: FIND US ON Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, WA 601 NORTH 59TH STREET President and CEO Linda Allen Glenn Kawasaki Bryan Slinker General Information: 206.548.2500 Membership Department Bruce Bohmke David S. Anderson Cammi Libby Gretchen Sorensen SPRING/SUMMER and Address Changes: 206.548.2400, [email protected] SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98103 WOODLAND PARK ZOO SAVES Editor in Chief: Laura Lockard, [email protected] Anthony Bay Chief Operations Officer Rob Liddell Jay Tejera May 1 – September 30 Associate Editor: Kirsten Pisto, [email protected] Bruce Bentley Leigh McMillan Margaret Wetherald Design Editor: Misty Fried, [email protected] MAIN ZOO LINE ANIMALS AND THEIR HABITATS 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Photo Editor: Ryan Hawk, [email protected] Marianne Bichsel Jane Nelson Kathy Williams 206.548.2500 For Advertising Information: [email protected] or 206.548.2625 2014 BOARD OF Kristi Branch Laura Peterson Susie Wyckoff THROUGH CONSERVATION CLOSED CHRISTMAS DAY Comments or questions? Write 601 N. 59th St. Seattle, WA GENERAL EMAIL DIRECTORS OFFICERS Lisa Caputo Larry Phillips Deborah Jensen, ex officio 98103-5858 or email [email protected] Dino DeVita Matt Rosauer Christopher Williams, ex officio Woodland Park Zoo is a City of Seattle facility managed [email protected] Nancy Pellegrino, Chair LEADERSHIP AND ENGAGING FALL/WINTER and operated by the non-profit Woodland Park Zoological Janet Dugan Patti Savoy Society. MyZoo (ISSN 2153-4659) is published quarterly for Laurie Stewart, Vice Chair David Goldberg Greg Schwartz October 1 – April 30 $6.00 per year for Woodland Park Zoo (WPZ) members MEMBERSHIP EMAIL EXPERIENCES, INSPIRING PEOPLE from membership dues by WPZ at 601 N. 59th St. Seattle, WA Kenneth Eakes, Treasurer Lisa Graumlich Rob Short 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 98103-5858. Periodicals postage paid at Seattle WA. [email protected] Jason Hamlin Jeff Leppo, Secretary Elizabeth Sicktich TO LEARN, CARE AND ACT. POSTMASTER send address change to: Debora Horvath Ron Siegle MyZoo, WPZ 601 N. 59th St. Seattle, WA 98103-5858 www.zoo.org Stuart Williams, All photos are property of Woodland Park Zoo unless Immediate Past Chair otherwise noted. 2 Woodland Park Zoo is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization 3 Ryan Hawk, WPZ MYZOO FALL 2014 If YOU ARE AN ANIMAL, WE’VE human health care, it is the dedication got you covered. Just like many of the to the individual combined with a deep MOST COMMON state-of-the-art hospitals and health centers understanding of global health trends PROCEDURES ANIMAL located here in the Pacific Northwest, our that make our animal health crew such an Animal Health Department provides its asset to the zoo. The zoo routinely uses • Exams and checkups patients with a highly specialized team of a consultant group of veterinarians and experts in one place. From preventive medical doctors to assist in specialized • Blood draw HEALTH care to emergency services, our talented procedures such as diagnostic imaging, • Anesthesia animal health staff is equipped with a dentistry and cardiac ultrasounds. • Animals radiographed diverse range of veterinary skills to The Animal Health Department is involved respond to every situation. Oh baby! In 2013 the team ALL STARS in every step of our animal care program. performed 46 neonatal exams! While our animal health team has From birth plans to matchmaking (Species an incredible amount of training and Survival Plans), from geriatric animal care to Every year, the zoo lab experience in working with a whopping vaccinations, from a two-week checkup on a tests on average 900 fecal 300 species, it is their passion and fuzzy gray penguin chick to a comprehensive specimens and analyzes empathy for their patients that put care plan for a 46-year-old gorilla’s arthritis… Above: Senior vet 1,095 blood samples. tech Harmony Frazier them at the top of their game. As in we’ve got them covered. comforts baby gorilla Uzumma after her spinal surgery. Left: All hands on deck! The GET TO KNOW OUR OUTSTANDING TEAM animal health team in go-mode during the Dr. Darin Collins, Director, Animal Health Programs Teri Hermann, Licensed Lab Veterinary Technician four-cub lion exam in Darin directs all aspects of the medical and health care of animals Teri is responsible for oversight of the veterinary laboratory. Teri 2013. Right: Zookeeper at the zoo to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the animal works with 30‐40 laboratories around the country to make sure Matt Mills uses target collection; and coordinates health and related research activities. the zoo collects the correct samples and gets the proper tests run training with a giraffe, Darin is also a leading voice