Rebuilding a Zoo – From 6,000 Miles Away

As Iraq’s Baghdad Zoo regains its popularity with the public, veterinarians from North Carolina State University and the North Carolina Zoo are offering advice and assistance via a virtual link to classes and experts both on campus and in the field.

This semester, veterinarians at the Baghdad Zoo will be able to participate in the Advanced Topics in Zoological Medicine course offered by NC State’s College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM). The course, which meets every Thursday at 4 p.m. – or midnight, Baghdad time – will allow the Iraqi veterinarians to interact with instructors, students, and experts from the N.C. Zoo via satellite link and televideo conferencing.

“It is our hope that this course will provide our fellow veterinarians with access to high-level continuing education and professional advice during and after their zoo’s recovery,” says Dr. Michael Stoskopf, professor of wildlife and aquatic medicine at NC State.

The effort was initiated by NC State alumnus and U.S. Army Maj. Dr. Scott Willens. With the assistance of the U.S. Army and the support of the N.C. Zoological Society, the necessary equipment was delivered and set up for use by the veterinarians at the Baghdad Zoo.

In addition to being able to take courses at the CVM, the telecommunicating Iraqi veterinarians will also be able to connect directly to the N.C. Zoo Hospital for consultations and advice from a staff of veterinarians experienced in zoological medicine. The N.C. Zoo is the coordinating node for all U.S. assistance to the Baghdad Zoo, and has been instrumental in both raising funds for and overseeing the zoo’s rehabilitation since the 2003 coalition takeover of Iraq.

This is the next stage in ongoing assistance to the Baghdad Zoo,” said N.C. Zoo Director Dr. David Jones. “One of the most valuable things we can do in these situations is to provide continuing access to up-to-date information on what is a very specialized subject.”