Veterinarians, ecologists and human medical professionals are recognizing the role of infectious disease as an increasing threat to the health of animals, humans and ecosystems. A number of these pathogens, including rabies and Ebola viruses, directly affect the health of wildlife and human populations. During this same time, conservation biologists and veterinarians became aware of the impacts of infectious and non-infectious diseases on the long-term survival of many wildlife species.

To address the challenges associated with the growing interconnections between the health of humans and the animal kingdom, the Saint Louis Zoo established the Institute for Conservation Medicine in 2011. Animals housed at zoos may serve as sentinels for emerging diseases of humans and animals in surrounding areas.

The Saint Louis Zoo's conservation medicine research focuses on diseases that affect the conservation of threatened and endangered wildlife species. Scientists study the origin, movement and risk factors associated with diseases so they can better understand the impact of diseases on the conservation of wildlife populations; the links between the health of zoo animals and free-living wildlife populations; and the movement of diseases between wildlife, domestic animals and humans.

Zoos play major roles in conservation medicine, for example, scientists at zoos:

  • Conduct clinical, nutritional, pathological and epidemiological studies of diseases of conservation concern
  • Provide healthcare to the wildlife in their care, thus ensuring successful zoo breeding programs that contribute to the sustainability of biodiversity
  • Monitor diseases in free-living wild animals where they interface with domestic animals and humans
  • Perform studies that contribute to the fields of comparative medicine and the discovery of all life forms, from invertebrates and vertebrate species to parasites and pathogens

The scope of the Institute's work spans the globe. Since its founding in 2011, the Institute has been involved in several projects, including:

Box Turtles in Missouri: With Forest Park Forever, Washington University in St. Louis' Tyson Research Center, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology and local high school and college students, the Institute documents box turtle movements and their health status in urban and rural areas around St. Louis. The study aims to better understand environmental factors that may be affecting the health of turtles, and that may have implications for humans.

Dromedary Camels in Northern Kenya: This Institute project in northern Kenya involves a health assessment of dromedary camels used for milk. Unfortunately, the lack of pasteurization results in millions of humans being exposed to zoonotic pathogens, since camel milk may carry bacteria, viruses and parasites. By working to ensure the health of camels, the Institute also benefits human health and the health of wildlife that share the habitat with the camels.

Galápagos Tortoise Movement Ecology Program: The Institute for Conservation Medicine is a co-investigating partner on a National Science Foundation-funded grant entitled "How Environment, Physiology and Life History Interact to Determine Pattern in Animal Migration." You can learn more about this study and Galápagos tortoise conservation and health issues at The overall goal of the giant tortoise program is to assist the Galápagos National Park (GNP) to effectively conserve giant Galápagos tortoises by conducting cutting edge applied science and developing an inspirational tortoise-based outreach and education program.

Human Health Benefits Associated with Visiting Zoological Institutions: People have a natural affinity for nature. With support from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Conservation Endowment Fund, the ICM is partnering with the University of Missouri's College of Veterinary Medicine to investigate the role zoos play in stress reduction in a world disconnected from nature. In this study, beginning in Spring 2014, partners will evaluate the measurable psychological and physiological health benefits to Zoo visitors that interact with stingrays and sharks at Caribbean Cove. The study will lay the groundwork for further projects that will explore the human health benefits associated with a wide range of zoo visitor experiences.

The Institute Advances the Concept of One Health

Conservation medicine addresses the growing disease challenges that threaten the survival of wild animal species and that negatively impact human public health. The field of conservation medicine emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to studying the interrelated nature of diseases in animals and humans, in the context of environmental change. In recent years, the term One Health has been coined and has similar objectives to conservation medicine, in that it aims to merge animal and human health to benefit both. Human-related environmental changes have escalated in recent years, threatening animal and human health as well as all ecosystems on Earth. On a global scale, the human population growth to seven billion, with the associated habitat fragmentation and degradation, increased travel and trade, and climate change, has an impact on the health of all species. For example, as humans (and their domestic animals) move closer to wildlife populations and into wild lands, disease risks to wildlife, domestic animals and humans increase. Zoos have significant roles to play within conservation medicine and One Health initiatives. For more, read Role of Zoos in One Health by Sharon L. Deem and Pam Dennis.

How You Can Make a Difference


Sharon Deem, DVM, PhD, DACZM
Direct: (314) 646-4708
Zoo: (314) 781-0900, ext. 4708
Jamie Palmer, M.S.
Direct: (314) 646-4731
Zoo: (314) 781-0900, ext. 4731

For media information, contact:

Susan Gallagher
Direct: (314) 646-4633
Zoo: (314) 781-0900, ext. 4633

For information on donations, contact:

Kim Lovings
Direct: (314) 646-4691
Zoo: (314) 781-0900, ext. 4691

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