Zoo animal medicine

We are used to the fact that animal clinics mostly deal with the treatment of pets, productive animals or horses. However, animals living in zoos and animal parks can also be in need of help. Estonian University of Life Sciences and the Tallinn Zoo have a cooperation agreement and within the framework the veterinarians of our veterinary clinic help the zoo in the treatment of its inhabitants. We also operate internationally, with major partners such as Wildlife Pharmaceuticals (Ltd) in South Africa, Warsaw Zoo (Poland), Attica Park (Greece) and several other agencies. Aleksandr Semjonov, who is a senior lecturer and holds a PhD in veterinary medicine in the anesthesiology of wild and zoo animals and is a member of the European Association of Zoos and Wildlife Veterinarians, is the head of the field of zoo medicine in the Estonian University of life Sciences. 

 

What makes zoo medicine special?


Firstly, the zoo is home to many species of animals and their anatomy, physiology and diseases are very different from each other. Secondly, many zoo animals are dangerous to humans and require anesthesia for examination or treatment. And thirdly, due to the size and dangerousity of the animal, transport to the animal clinic is usually not possible, so we are forced to make visits to the zoo.

 

Who are our patients?

In Estonia, we provide veterinary assistance primarily to the Tallinn Zoo. Over the years, we have anesthetized many different species of animals: lions, polar bears, muskoxen, camels, bison, gaur, Przewalski's horses, chimpanzees and also the largest residents in the zoo, the African elephant.

For example,each year the veterinarians of the Estonian University of Life Sciences Large Animal Clinic visit the zoo to trim the hooves of the world's largest bovine- the gaur. The surgeons of the small animal clinic visited the zoo to treat the elephant's wound. In cooperation with human doctors, we have also performed health examination on the person's closest relatives - chimpanzees.

We always involve the university's veterinary students in our work.

Internationally, we have treated a variety of predators, elephants, giraffes, rhinos, sea lions and walruses, and dolphins.

 

What are the main focuses of our activity?

  • High quality anesthesia and treatment for zoo animals
  • Development of zoo biosecurity programs
  • International training courses for veterinarians and students
  • Zoo animal research

 

Teaching and courses

Zoo animal medicine is taught to veterinary students in the subject of zoo and wildlife medicine. Many Estonian Univesrity of Life Sciences students have also conducted research in this field and successfully defended their dissertations. In cooperation with the South Africa's pharmaceutical company Wildlife Pharmaceuticals (Ltd) South Africa, we conduct annual Zoo, Exotic and Wild Animal Anesthesia courses in various European zoos, South Africa and India. The aim of the course is to provide in-depth knowledge and skills necessary for the work of a zoo veterinarian.

Additional information and questions:


Senior Lecturer Aleksandr Semjonov
aleksandr.semjonov@emu.ee