Veterinary Internship Program
Welcome to Lands of Change : Australia and Beyond !
ANIMAL UPDATE
Veterinary Internship Program
In July , we began an exciting new venture : the Eastern Florida Zoological Internship Program ( EFZIP ). A collaboration with Florida Wildlife Hospital and Sanctuary and partnership with Lion Country Safari and SeaWorld Orlando , EFZIP allows each intern to train in the fields of zoo and wildlife medicine with the veterinary staffs of all four facilities for two years .
Our first intern is Dr . Megan Partyka , a native of Pine Beach , New Jersey . Megan moved to New Orleans to study evolutionary biology and psychology at Tulane University , which was just a short walk from Audubon Zoo . She was a weekend volunteer in the Asian Domain , where the
animals and keepers quickly became her new family .
In 2012 , Megan moved to Baton Rouge to study veterinary medicine at Louisiana State University . As a veterinary student , Megan spent four weeks as an extern at Brevard Zoo . These incredible experiences only amplified Megan ’ s interest in becoming a zoo veterinarian .
Megan completed her DVM last year and moved to Manhattan , Kansas for additional training as a small animal medicine and surgery intern . She was thrilled to accept the invitation to return to Melbourne for EFZIP and jumped right into work — she assisted with an impala laceration repair on her very first day !
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Welcome to Lands of Change : Australia and Beyond !
Four-year-old Komodo dragons Elsa and Sha-Sha are among the first animals to greet Lands of Change visitors . More often than not , you ’ ll find them interacting with guests through the glass window !
The redesigned aviaries will soon feature a stunning pair of Victoria crowned pigeons . Roughly equivalent to a turkey in size , these colorful , crested birds represent the largest pigeon species in the world !
Speaking of birds , southern cassowaries Romeo and Juliet have moved in ! These two birds are full of personality and eager to train with their keepers !
One of the most exciting additions was the arrival of Meru the North Sulawesi babirusa . Native to Indonesia , babirusas are extraordinary in appearance compared to other pig species ; they have long , spindly legs , are bald in appearance and adult males grow long , curved tusks that protrude through the snout . Meru is just two years old and his tusks are barely visible , but guests will have the opportunity to watch him mature and grow in the years to come . Since the Zoo has invested in the North Sulawesi babirusa
Species Survival Plan breeding program , Meru will soon share his space with a female .
Be sure to catch an educational talk or demonstration in the Lands of Change Theater ! This is the first venue of its kind at the Zoo and it has quickly become a favorite guest activity !