Woodland Park Zoo Press Release

SEATTLE - Woodland Park Zoo (WPZ) and Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine (WSU CVM) have formed a new alliance, for the betterment of both organizations. On Friday, officials from the zoo and from the college officially signed an agreement to form an Animal Health Care Alliance. “Both institutions are dedicated to excellence in animal care and welfare and share educational goals,” said Woodland Park Zoo President and CEO Dr Deborah Jensen. “The work of the Animal Health Care Alliance will reach beyond our zoo population and the animals at WSU in Pullman. Our reach will extend throughout Washington state and will, in fact, be worldwide.”

Photo: Ric Brewer

For years, both institutions have operated independently on opposite sides of the state. This agreement now joins the two together in key areas of education and research, both at the zoo and abroad. “We offer some of the best minds in veterinary science today,” said Dr. Warwick Bayly, Dean of the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine. “We’re excited to have our students receive hands-on experience with a variety of animals, along with assisting in Woodland Park’s worldwide research in wildlife conservation and rehabilitation.” Woodland Park Zoo has long been dedicated to helping save animals and their habitats in Washington state and around the world. This research includes working with everything from snow leopards to tree kangaroos. WSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine is a premier research institution that helps over 15,000 animals a year, including sick and injured wildlife from across Washington state.

Among those in attendance at the signing ceremony were Jack and Jan Creighton who share intimate knowledge of both institutions. Jan Creighton is a former member of the WPZ board, while John W. “Jack” Creighton is on the WSU Foundation Board of Governors. "The joining of these two outstanding organizations in a collaborative partnership will be powerful,” said Jan Creighton.

First on the agenda for the new partnership, WPZ’s Animal Health professionals teamed up with professors from WSU CVM for an educational event. They provided over 50 wannabe veterinarians with firsthand knowledge of what it takes to be a veterinarian, while offering a detailed look at exciting career options and trends in veterinary medicine. This informative program was followed by private, animal health focused zoo tours including visits to the brown bear, Day and Night Exhibits and African wild dog exhibits. These students will be the future leaders in changing how humans impact animal health here in the Puget Sound area and around the globe.

Accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, award-winning Woodland Park Zoo is famed for pioneering naturalistic exhibits and setting a standard for zoos all over the world. With conservation, education and excellent animal care at the core of the zoo’s mission, the zoo is helping to save endangered species in Washington state and around the world including tree kangaroos, snow leopards, red-crowned cranes, African wild dogs, western pond turtles and Oregon silverspot butterflies. By inspiring visitors and others to care and act, Woodland Park Zoo is making a difference in our planet’s future.