Philadelphia Zoo
Description
The Philadelphia Zoo's Department of Animal Health staff includes three full time clinical veterinarians and three full time animal health technicians. The Philadelphia Zoo also boasts a full time nutrition department within the Department of Animal Services.
Veterinary externs will assist the staff of the Department of Animal Health in providing a comprehensive health care program for the Philadelphia Zoo's animal collection. The Philadelphia Zoo is a private, nonprofit organization and America's first zoo. The Zoo, fulfilling its mission of conservation, science, education and recreation, supports and engages in conservation efforts to protect endangered species around the world.
The 42-acre Victorian garden currently is home to more than 1300 animals of 308 species, of which 17% are amphibians, 25% reptiles, 20% birds, and 38% mammals. Included among these are 7 amphibian, 59 reptilian, 38 avian, and 58 mammalian species of conservation concern. The Zoo is also a major educational and recreational attraction, welcoming more than 1.1 million visitors annually.
Details
Associate Veterinarians and special expertise available
- Keith C Hinshaw, DVM, MPVM; residency in primate medicine, UC Davis. Dr Hinshaw is a member of AZA, AAZV, and ARAV.
- Donna M Ialeggio, DVM; internship in Zoological Medicine, The Baltimore Zoo (now The Maryland Zoo). Dr Ialeggio is a member of AZA, AAZV, AAV, and AVMA.
- Christopher L Montgomery, DVM; residency in Zoological Medicine, The Philadelphia Zoo. Dr Montgomery is a member of AAZV.
- All three clinicians are Adjunct faculty of the Veterinary School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Educational Resources
- The Dept of Animal Health maintains a current veterinary library.
- Staff have access to the Veterinary Library at the nearby Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
- The Philadelphia Zoo library is managed by a facility-dedicated librarian and archivist and houses volumes concerning taxonomy, husbandry, behavior,nutrition, etc. The library holds subscriptions to numerous zoo and wildlife professional journals.
Responsibilities
The student will participate in all activities of the Department of Animal Health, including clinical case work, animal care (as needed), and clinical record keeping. The student will participate in necropsy examinations of both resident and wild or feral animals found on Zoo grounds. The student will attend meetings as appropriate.
Student Supervision
The student is expected to participate in Animal Department activities 5 days a week (Monday to Friday) 8am - 5pm and is offered the opportunity, as it arises, to participate in weekend and/or "afterhours" procedures. At least one veterinarian is present at the Zoo every day.
Housing
No
Practice Information
Philadelphia Zoo
3400 West Girard Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Ph: 215-243-5369
Fax: 215- 243-021
Email: hinshaw [dot] keith [at] phillyzoo [dot] org
Web: www.philadelphiazoo.org
Updated: 8/17/09
Signature on file: Keith C. Hinshaw, DVM
