by Barb Wolfe, DVM, PhD, DACZM

About Her Story

"The life of a zoo and wildlife veterinarian is filled with complex cases, improvised techniques, makeshift equipment, and embarrassing and messy situations. It’s rare that we see a return on our emotional investment in the animals. Hondo the chimpanzee’s change of heart really took me by surprise, and still makes me smile."

About the Author

Barbara Wolfe grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and avidly read animal behavior books as a child. She received her bachelor’s of science degree in molecular genetics from the University of California at Davis, and her veterinary degree followed by a Ph.D. in Reproductive Physiology from Texas A & M University. Dr. Wolfe’s interest in zoo medicine began with her research in assisted reproduction of endangered species, which has ranged from antelope to cats to elephants. Board certified by the American College of Zoological Medicine, she has worked as a researcher and veterinarian for the National Zoo and the North Carolina Zoo, and is currently the director of Wildlife and Conservation Medicine at The Wilds in Cumberland, Ohio. She is an associate editor for the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, serves on the Wildlife Scientific Advisory board for the Morris Animal Foundation, and still finds animal behavior fascinating.