ZAWS E-board members having fun with Friday’s welcome occasion
From March 28 to 30, veterinary college students, clinicians, and wildlife lovers gathered at Cornell College School of Veterinary Drugs for the 2025 Particular Species Symposium—a weekend of discovery, hands-on studying, and connection. Hosted by the Zoo and Wildlife Society (ZAWS), this completely student-run convention introduced collectively passionate minds from throughout the U.S. and Canada to discover subjects in zoo, wildlife, unique, and conservation drugs.
A Heat Welcome
The weekend started on a welcoming notice Friday night with a networking reception. College students and professionals mingled over hors d’oeuvres, sharing their objectives, inspirations, and favourite species—a prelude to the collaborative spirit that outlined the times forward.
Saturday morning launched into full swing with opening remarks by pupil coordinators and ZAWS management, setting the tone for an occasion crammed with curiosity and take care of animals past the standard medical scope. Dr. Marcy Uhart of the UC Davis One Well being Institute, a Cornell Okay. Lisa Yang Middle for Wildlife Well being Inaugural Speaker, introduced a sobering however well timed overview of extremely pathogenic avian influenza as a rising conservation disaster.
Because the day unfolded, attendees rotated between lecture halls and labs, taking in skilled insights on marine mammal care, porcupine illness within the Northeast, rhinoceros drugs, reptile habits in captivity, and fish well being in managed care. Every discuss sparked significant dialogue in regards to the complexity of treating non-domesticated species—creatures whose care requires practitioners to combine ecology, public well being, and ethics.
Fingers-On Expertise: Immersive Labs in Wildlife Drugs
After lunch, contributors took their studying additional with immersive labs. From avian dealing with and wildlife necropsy to turtle shell restore, outbreak investigations, and unique animal pathology, college students skilled the sort of sensible coaching that’s laborious to return by in a conventional curriculum. These small-group workshops allowed for hands-on skill-building with direct mentorship from clinicians throughout specialties.
Many college students had the chance to take part in a hands-on wildlife or marine mammal necropsy lab.
The marine mammal necropsy lab was a spotlight for Alyssa Miguez, a second-year DVM pupil and president of Cornell’s World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Affiliation (WAVMA) chapter. “We had wildlife vets, pathologists, and anatomists train us all the pieces about marine mammals,” Alyssa stated. With a particular curiosity in wildlife replica, Alyssa was particularly excited to see a wonderfully preserved seal fetus.
Katie-Ann Fu, one of many Particular Species co-chairs, stated a spotlight was a distinct necropsy lab, the Wildlife Comparative Necropsy Lab. “I notably loved the Wildlife Comparative Necropsy Lab as we walked via step-by-step with the pathologists in tips on how to conduct necropsies and gather samples in numerous wildlife species,” she stated.
An Night Keynote: Collaboration in Conservation
The day concluded with an inspiring keynote from Dr. Natalie Mylniczenko of Disney’s Animals, Science, and Atmosphere staff. Her discuss, “It Takes a Village: A Story of Grauer’s Gorillas,” provided a glimpse into the collaborative efforts behind international species conservation and reminded attendees of the significance of interdisciplinary teamwork.
Sunday’s classes continued the momentum, starting with lectures on wild mammal pathology, avian ophthalmology, and case-based discussions of herpetological and unique species care. Dr. Noha Abou-Madi took attendees on “A Journey By the Lives of Carnivores,” weaving collectively behavioral ecology and medical drugs, whereas Dr. Shane Boylan from the Georgia Sea Turtle Middle highlighted advances in sea turtle rehabilitation.
The day wrapped up with one other spherical of small-group labs, together with alpaca castration, comparative parasitology, rehab strategies for non-traditional species, and a mock illness outbreak. As contributors trickled out of the ultimate reception, the power within the room mirrored each achievement and pleasure for the longer term.
The 2025 Particular Species Symposium was greater than a convention—it was a celebration of the breadth of veterinary drugs and a reminder that the way forward for animal well being lies in our willingness to assume past the barn and clinic. For individuals who attended, it was a weekend of inspiration, hands-on expertise, and deepened dedication to the well-being of all species—large, small, wild, and fantastic.
The Particular Species Symposium was a wholly student-run occasion. Pictured right here is the 2024-2025 ZAWS E-board.
