Our “ Extra-Special ” Specialists
By Heather Dishon , Communications Coordinator
Dr . Applewhite repairs the beak of an Aldabra tortoise with Associate Veterinarian Dr . Julie Ter Beest
How do you help an elephant with an aching tooth — or a bat with a broken wing ?
Tending to the medical needs of animals can be challenging , especially when you have 1,500 animals that all have individual needs . However , the challenge also offers unique opportunities for our veterinary staff to share information with the local medical community , and in turn , benefit from their expertise . Providing the best health care possible for so many animals can “ take a village ” in many ways . As we celebrate the giving season , we ’ d like to recognize just a few of these extra-special specialists who give so much of their time to help us to ensure first-rate care for our precious animals .
Dr . Tom Clark , the Zoo ’ s longest partner , was first asked to come out to the Zoo in 1978 to help with a black leopard named Kali .
His contributions as a consulting dentist gradually increased and Dr . Clark has now worked on almost anything with teeth — from ferrets , wallabies and woolly monkeys to polar bears , lions and hippos . He even put an aluminum crown on an elephant ’ s tusk . For 10 years until 2009 , Dr . Clark spearheaded a partnership between the Zoo and the University of Louisville ’ s School of Dentistry by offering an Exotic Animal Dentistry elective to senior dental students . His willingness to assist , sometimes at a moment ’ s notice , is much appreciated . He is truly an invaluable asset to the Zoo ’ s Animal
Health Center .
Veterinary ophthalmologist Dr . Erica Tolar has helped us to diagnose and treat eye problems in many animals — from toads and birds to our new Sumatran tiger , Heran , who was diagnosed with glaucoma in his right eye . She was also the consulting ophthalmologist when Kimti , our visually impaired snow leopard , arrived at the Louisville
Dr . Clark trims an overgrown pygmy hippo tusk .
12 • Louisville Zoo Trunkline • Winter 2017