Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Zoo Vet

🎯 Role Definition

The Zoo Veterinarian is a licensed veterinary professional who leads clinical and preventive medical care for a diverse collection of captive wild and exotic animals. This role combines hands-on patient care, surgical and diagnostic expertise, herd and population health management, collaboration with animal care and conservation teams, and contributions to research and public education. The Zoo Vet ensures high standards of animal welfare, regulatory compliance, and conservation outcomes while supporting institutional goals for animal well-being, public engagement, and scientific advancement.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Small animal or mixed animal veterinary practice transitioning to exotics/zoological medicine
Wildlife rehabilitation or field conservation medicine roles
Internship/residency in zoological or exotic animal medicine

Advancement To:

Senior or Chief Veterinarian of a zoological institution
Director of Veterinary Services / Medical Director
Head of Conservation Medicine, Population Health, or Research Programs

Lateral Moves:

University or research faculty in wildlife health, zoological medicine, or conservation science
Private specialty practice in exotic animal medicine or wildlife consultancy
Field-based wildlife veterinarian or conservation NGO veterinary lead

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Provide comprehensive clinical care for a broad spectrum of species, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates, performing physical examinations, diagnostics, treatment planning, and follow-up to ensure optimal individual and group health outcomes.
Plan and perform routine and complex surgical procedures—soft tissue and orthopedic—using species-appropriate anesthesia and perioperative protocols while maintaining meticulous surgical records and postoperative care plans.
Develop and implement preventive medicine programs (vaccination schedules, parasite control, quarantine and biosecurity protocols) tailored to species, life stage, and institutional risk assessment to minimize disease introduction and transmission.
Lead population health initiatives including herd management plans, disease surveillance, health record systems, necropsy programs, and epidemiologic investigations to identify trends, mitigate risks, and improve long-term animal welfare.
Conduct and interpret clinical diagnostics including hematology, biochemistry, microbiology, cytology, radiography, ultrasound, endoscopy, and advanced imaging (CT/MRI) when available, and coordinate external laboratory testing as needed.
Manage anesthesia and analgesia protocols for diverse taxa, ensuring safe, effective sedation, monitoring, and recovery, and train staff on species-specific anesthesia techniques and monitoring equipment.
Perform and supervise necropsies and post-mortem examinations, determine causes of morbidity and mortality, compile comprehensive reports, and translate findings into actionable preventive measures and management changes.
Lead or contribute to species reintroduction, conservation, and breeding programs by advising on reproductive health, assisted reproductive technologies, neonatal care, and genetic health monitoring to support sustainable populations.
Oversee quarantine and intake procedures for new arrivals, transfers, and wild rescues, performing initial health assessments, diagnostic screening, isolation protocols, and release planning as appropriate.
Develop, update, and enforce veterinary protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and emergency response plans for animal health crises, infectious disease outbreaks, and disaster scenarios.
Collaborate with curators, keepers, nutritionists, behaviorists, and husbandry staff to create integrated animal care plans emphasizing enrichment, nutrition, housing, social structure, and behavioral health to prevent medical and stress-related issues.
Provide clinical leadership during fieldwork and translocation operations, including pre-transport health screening, in-transit care planning, and post-transport monitoring to minimize risk and enhance animal survival.
Manage veterinary clinic operations including inventory of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals, procurement and compliance with controlled substances regulations, equipment maintenance, and oversight of medical recordkeeping systems.
Supervise, mentor, and train veterinary technicians, interns, residents, and keepers in clinical procedures, safe handling, sample collection, and recognition of early signs of illness to build institutional capacity and professional development.
Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders, conservation partners, external veterinarians, and regulatory agencies regarding permits, disease reporting, import/export health requirements, and collaborative projects.
Prepare and present clinical case reports, morbidity/mortality reviews, and health assessments to institutional leadership and scientific audiences to inform decision-making and contribute to evidence-based practices.
Lead or support grant writing, fundraising, and budget development for veterinary programs, conservation projects, and research initiatives that align with institutional priorities and species conservation needs.
Ensure compliance with local, national, and international regulations governing animal welfare, transport, import/export, zoonotic disease control, and controlled substances, and maintain accurate documentation for inspections and audits.
Provide emergency and on-call veterinary coverage for acute illnesses, injuries, and trauma events, coordinating triage, stabilization, and referral when specialized care is required.
Integrate One Health principles by collaborating with public health officials, ecologists, and conservation biologists on zoonotic disease surveillance, habitat health assessments, and community outreach programs.
Design and participate in applied clinical research projects to advance knowledge in zoo and wildlife medicine, publish findings in peer-reviewed journals, and present results at professional conferences.
Engage proactively in public education and outreach—delivering talks, guided tours, and media interviews—to explain veterinary care practices, species conservation issues, and the role of zoos in biodiversity conservation.
Establish and monitor metrics for veterinary program performance (morbidity/mortality rates, surgical outcomes, anesthetic complication rates) and implement quality improvement initiatives to elevate standards of care.
Foster partnerships with universities, conservation organizations, and other zoological institutions for collaborative projects, student training, and capacity building in regional conservation efforts.

Secondary Functions

Assist with protocol-driven behavioral and enrichment assessments, providing veterinary input to enrichment program design and effectiveness evaluation.
Support animal transport logistics, including health certificate preparation, crate design consultation, and coordination with regulatory authorities for interstate/international moves.
Contribute to institutional risk assessments and biosecurity training for staff, volunteers, and contractors to maintain a safe workplace for animals and humans.
Participate in public-facing programs, lectures, and school outreach to promote animal welfare, conservation medicine, and institutional transparency.
Help develop and maintain electronic medical records and database systems to improve data accessibility, longitudinal health tracking, and reporting for conservation research.
Provide veterinary expertise for exhibit design consultations to optimize animal welfare, facilitate safe medical access, and meet husbandry requirements.
Serve on interdisciplinary committees (ethics, conservation, research review) to evaluate project proposals, animal use protocols, and welfare implications.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Licensed DVM/VMD in good standing with active state/provincial licensure and eligibility to obtain controlled substance registration (DEA or equivalent).
Proficiency in clinical diagnostics across taxa: bloodwork interpretation, cytology, microbiology culture techniques, and interpretation of radiographs and ultrasound images.
Strong surgical skills including species-specific soft tissue and orthopedic procedures, aseptic technique, and perioperative management for exotic and wild species.
Expertise in anesthesia and pain management for a wide range of species, including use of inhalant and injectable protocols, patient monitoring, and emergency airway management.
Experience implementing preventive medicine programs: vaccination strategies, parasite control, quarantine, screening for infectious diseases, and herd health planning.
Competence in performing necropsies, histopathology coordination, and production of detailed post-mortem reports to inform management decisions.
Familiarity with reproductive technologies and population management tools: artificial insemination support, pregnancy diagnosis, neonatal intensive care, and contraception as needed.
Knowledge of wildlife disease ecology, zoonoses, One Health frameworks, and ability to collaborate with public health or wildlife agencies on surveillance programs.
Proficiency with veterinary digital medical record systems and data management tools; capability to analyze health metrics and prepare technical reports.
Experience in regulatory compliance: permits, import/export health requirements, controlled substance handling, and animal welfare standards (e.g., AZA, EAZA, CITES, USDA).
Capability to design and conduct applied clinical research and to prepare manuscripts, grant applications, and scientific presentations.

Soft Skills

Excellent communication skills for explaining complex clinical information to keepers, leadership, partners, and the public in a clear, empathetic manner.
Strong leadership and team-building abilities to mentor staff, coordinate cross-disciplinary teams, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
High emotional resilience and problem-solving skills to manage emergency cases, ethical dilemmas, and high-stakes medical decisions under pressure.
Detail-oriented organization and time management to balance clinical caseloads, preventative programs, administrative duties, and fieldwork.
Cultural sensitivity and collaborative mindset for working with diverse stakeholders, volunteers, indigenous communities, and international partners.
Teaching and mentorship aptitude to supervise interns/residents and to develop training materials and hands-on learning experiences.
Strategic thinking and project management skills to lead conservation initiatives, clinical trials, and institutional improvement projects.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD) degree from an accredited veterinary school.
Active state/provincial veterinary license and eligibility for controlled substance registration/permits.

Preferred Education:

Post-graduate training such as an internship or residency in zoological/exotic/wildlife medicine.
Board certification (ACZM, ECZM, or specialty in zoological medicine) or equivalent advanced clinical training.
Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in conservation medicine, epidemiology, or related field for research-focused roles.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Veterinary Medicine
Wildlife Biology / Conservation Biology
Zoology / Animal Science
Epidemiology / Public Health

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–8 years of clinical veterinary experience, with at least 1–3 years working with exotic, wild, or zoo species preferred.

Preferred:

3–7+ years in zoological medicine, wildlife rehabilitation, or a residency program with demonstrated surgical, anesthesia, and population health experience.
Proven experience leading animal health programs, supervising veterinary teams, and contributing to conservation or research projects.
Track record of publications, presentations, and collaborations with conservation organizations or academic institutions.