Modern zoos engage in education, contribute to the conservation of biodiversity, and promote scientific learning while providing an inclusive environment for the visiting public. As such, the modern zoo places strong emphasis on the health and well-being of its living collection. Veterinarians dedicated to zoo animal medicine bring not only clinical expertise but also knowledge of animal behavior, nutrition, husbandry, and welfare. Veterinarians are therefore an integral part of the professional teams required to manage animals in zoological institutions.
This chapter provides a general discussion of the health management of collections of nondomestic animals, with a strong emphasis on preventive care, clinical considerations, and institutional programs. For more information specific to certain taxa, see Amphibians, Marine Mammals, Llamas and Alpacas, Ratites, Nonhuman Primates, Reptiles, and Vaccination of Exotic Mammals. For more information on nutrition, see Nutrition: Exotic and Zoo Animals.
