Understanding the origins and mechanisms of diseases that threaten wildlife is vital to providing effective  health care and management strategies.  It is the job of the WCS pathologists to act as medical detectives who analyze tissues to identify disease processes that may affect the wild animals in our care.  Like our animals, diseases have many different faces and can affect individuals or groups of animals; some have the potential to spread not only within our captive populations but from local wildlife to collection animals or from our animals to local wildlife.  Through their work, WCS pathologists ensure the health of wildlife in the four New York City zoos and the New York City Aquarium, and free-ranging wild animals both locally and at WCS field sites around the world.  The department is based at the Bronx Zoo and the staff includes three pathologists, one pathology technician, two histotechnicians, and one secretary. 

 It is part of our mission to advance the knowledge of disease and contribute to the medical care of the wild animals we hold in trust. As such, we are committed to training future veterinary pathologists in the diagnosis of diseases in wild animals by understanding disease pathogenesis, its implications to both animal and human populations, and in the discovery and diagnosis of emerging diseases both locally and globally.  To accomplish this goal, we have established a Veterinary Anatomic Pathology Residency Program in conjunction with Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.  We also provide opportunities for veterinary students to actively participate and experience first hand the integral role pathology plays in the overall care of these animals on site via our Veterinary Pathology Externship Program

For more information or to submit an application, please contact:  Carlos Rodriguez, DVM, Associate Pathologist Wildlife Conservation Society 2300 Southern Blvd Bronx, NY 10460 phone:  (718) 220-7105  fax:  (718) 220-7126 email: crodriguez@wcs.org.