There are over 3700 animals from 650 species at the Denver Zoo, and Staff Veterinarian Diana Boon is on call.
On a given day, her patient list might include a vampire bat, black rhino, or Amur leopard (thought to be extinct in the wild). She implements preventative medicine, administers treatments, and performs surgery.
"I developed a novel way, in collaboration with human specialists, to correct angular limb deformities in American Flamingos that does not involve surgery or exercise restriction," said Diana. "This study has developed into a multi-institutional study across the United States and offers some promising options for a new use of currently available tape products."
It’s a dream job for someone who always wanted to work with animals, and Diana credits her SFS Kenya experience with giving her the necessary advantages to break into the field.
"My research project looked at flock dynamics of scavengers birds and the first time seeing over 200 birds arrive at our site was a fantastic lesson in the economy of natural systems," she said. "The training I received at SFS allowed me to be hired as a wildlife technician on multiple wildlife jobs within the US and overseas on a variety of species and at wildlife rehabilitation facilities. For example, I worked for two field seasons with a spotted owl project in the New Mexico Gila Wilderness. This was a population ecology study monitoring the interaction of spotted owls and the effects of logging. We were hired to work for 4.5 months during the breeding season identifying birds, banding fledglings, surveying for population movement, and habitat description."
"I have a feeling all of this experience made my application to veterinary school very interesting and well-rounded, plus helped me to make more contacts within the wildlife and zoo medicine field," she said.
In addition to day-to-day animal care, Diana engages in research projects and mentors a team of veterinary students and technicians. She is an active member of the American Zoological Association, serving as the
veterinary advisor for Caprinae and Equid taxon advisory groups and volunteering as an accreditation inspector to help maintain standards for veterinary care. She also belongs to the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, where she assisted in writing part of their manual on infectious disease.
"I also provide veterinary support in Mongolia for a field study site centered on the ecology of Argali sheep and Nubian ibex," she said. Using radio collars, behavioral observations, and genetic analysis, researchers are gathering data to help protect these two mountain ungulates against poaching and mitigate conflict with livestock production.
For SFS students and alumni who are interested in pursuing a career in wildlife medicine, Diana advises them to be persistent and dedicated to their dream. She also stresses the importance of innovation. "Veterinary medicine itself is a challenge, but wildlife and zoo medicine even offers more fun challenges and opportunities to think outside of the box. I see so many successes at the Zoo that are a result of the creative thinking of multiple people."
