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FAU to collaborate with Palm Beach Zoo

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FAU to collaborate with Palm Beach Zoo

Excellent news for psychology, anthropology (FAU's anthro dept is small but has a number of grad students interested in primatology) and pre-vet students at FAU…




The Palm Beach Zoo (aka the Dreher Park Zoo) is going to build a $70 million complex called the Melvin J. & Claire Levine Animal Care Complex.

According to a press release, the center will include three primary components: The Salvatore Zeitlin Hospital, named for the zoo’s long-time veterinarian; the Center for Conservation Medicine; and the Wildlife Wellness & Nutrition Center.

The Salvatore Zeitlin Hospital will be a two story 10,000 square foot veterinary medicine
facility providing emergency care, exams, treatments and surgery for the zoo’s collection
of over 1,100 animals. It will contain the Campbell Surgical Suite and Campbell Nursery, both named by a $1 million gift from Dr. Rolla and Kim Campbell. There will also be two recovery rooms, a specialty room for nonhuman primate medicine, a treatment room, a radiology room, and necropsy room. The hospital will be well-equipped with an ultrasound machine, heart monitor, and anesthesia machine, as well as emergency carts and IV supplies. The zoo’s upgraded 3,300 square foot outdoor quarantine facility will stand adjacent to the hospital.

The second floor of the building will house offices and classrooms for the new Center for Conservation Medicine, incorporating biomedical education and telemedicine. These facilities will be used in cutting-edge educational programs for community elementary, middle and high schools. An academic partnership with the Charles E. Schmidt College of Sciences at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton and the FAU Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College in Jupiter is also envisioned. A consultant in Conservation Medicine from the Wildlife Conservation Society in New York will visit the zoo in January to help plan the facilities and programs.

“We are very happy to have the zoo’s participation in developing programs in Conservation Biology and Sustainability, and the new Center will enable the partnership,” said Dr. Gary W. Perry, Dean of the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science at FAU.

The Wildlife Wellness and Nutrition Center will house the zoo’s commissary where animal diets are studied, recorded and prepared with the aid of advanced digital technology. It will house the zoo’s freezer, dry food storage, and food preparation areas, a pharmacy, non-nutritional enrichment materials, and management space for dedicated personnel. A unique feature is the audio-visual network that permits animals in the zoo collection and zoo visitors to observe food preparation. The zoo’s primates are expected
to be interested spectators as their food is being prepared for distribution by their keepers.

Dr. Terry L. Maple, President and CEO of the zoo said, “When it opens in 2008, the Melvin J. and Claire Levine Animal Care Complex will be the most important new zoo medical and husbandry facility in America. The Palm Beach Zoo will take its place as a national leader in quality animal care.” The zoo is seeking additional gifts to name the Wildlife Wellness Center, the Center for Conservation Medicine, and to provide an operating endowment in partnership with Florida Atlantic University.

A ground-breaking ceremony will take place in the spring of 2007. The innovative facility
will be opened and dedicated in May of 2008.





You know, if we also established official partnerships with Monkey Jungle, Miami Metrozoo, Lion Country Safari and Busch Gardens, we could probably establish the only primatology program in Florida…
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Re: FAU to collaborate with Palm Beach Zoo

We could also be the only other Vet school in the state (UF).  Vet schools are harder to get into than med, and with all the animals around I dont see why not.

Florida Atlantic University Owls
2007 Sun Belt Football Champions 2007 New Orleans Bowl Champions 2008 Motor City Bowl Champions 2011 Sun Belt Basketball Champions No Bowls without Owls
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Re: FAU to collaborate with Palm Beach Zoo

SeminOWL2006 said

We could also be the only other Vet school in the state (UF).  Vet schools are harder to get into than med, and with all the animals around I dont see why not.

True. Or another dental school.
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Re: FAU to collaborate with Palm Beach Zoo

SeminOWL2006 said

We could also be the only other Vet school in the state (UF).  Vet schools are harder to get into than med, and with all the animals around I dont see why not.

I'd like to see that happen.

FAU - THE REAL SLEEPING GIANT
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Re: FAU to collaborate with Palm Beach Zoo

illinoisowl said

SeminOWL2006 said

We could also be the only other Vet school in the state (UF).  Vet schools are harder to get into than med, and with all the animals around I dont see why not.

I'd like to see that happen.

Interesting idea. I think FAU would have to partner with equestrian/farm establishments to do that.
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Re: FAU to collaborate with Palm Beach Zoo

Wellington for horses and then all the greyhound and horse racing around the region…Plus even Sea World and Miami Metrozoo and Miami Seaquarium.

Hey BROGAN, do.it.

Florida Atlantic University Owls
2007 Sun Belt Football Champions 2007 New Orleans Bowl Champions 2008 Motor City Bowl Champions 2011 Sun Belt Basketball Champions No Bowls without Owls
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Re: FAU to collaborate with Palm Beach Zoo

I would be awesome for FAU to start looking into a vet school.  Like someone else said, the only program in the state right now is in gainsville.  A primatology program would be good, and it appears that it is in the planning stages already.  The equestrian market may be tough to get into, especially down in S. FL.  Wellington and Davie are equine areas, but no where near the density of Ocala, which is 20 minutes from UF.  And UF has their IFAS program, which pretty much handles all agricultural aspects across the state.  I would like to see us start a marine animal program, to aid in the care of captive species, but mainly to work on aquaculture projects.  Anyway, it's a good start no matter where it leads FAU.

FAU - We got Bowls!
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Re: FAU to collaborate with Palm Beach Zoo

duder said

I would like to see us start a marine animal program, to aid in the care of captive species, but mainly to work on aquaculture projects. 

Are you a marine bio major? Have you mentioned this idea to the right people – like the dean? They're the ones that can get new programs established.
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Re: FAU to collaborate with Palm Beach Zoo

Hes Urban Planning...true to form thinking of others

Florida Atlantic University Owls
2007 Sun Belt Football Champions 2007 New Orleans Bowl Champions 2008 Motor City Bowl Champions 2011 Sun Belt Basketball Champions No Bowls without Owls
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Re: FAU to collaborate with Palm Beach Zoo

Seminowl,

Nope, Owlcountry is right.  I was a marine bio major, graduated in 03 though.  No I haven't mentioned it to anybody, this topic just got my brain working.  It just seems odd to me that with FAU's location, and partnership with HBOI,  there should be a bigger emphasis on marine biology research.  I know that there is a lot going on already, but it's all behind closed doors, and non one outside the biology building knows anything about it.  Maybe just some more press would help.

FAU - We got Bowls!
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