The Forest Preserves of Cook County is home to the nation’s first wildlife residency program that meets the rigorous standards of the American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM)—the certifying body for veterinary specialists in zoo and wildlife medicine. Launched in July 2022, the Illinois Zoological and Wildlife Health Management Residency is a collaboration between Brookfield Zoo Chicago; the Forest Preserves of Cook County; and the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.
 
The program, which is a three-year residency with advanced training in veterinary science, aims to build critically needed knowledge about the health of wild animal populations in both urban and suburban settings. The wildlife resident provides professional veterinary medical services for Forest Preserves field programs, and conducts and assists with laboratory and field research dedicated to maintaining wildlife and ecosystem health in Cook County.
 
In just the first 18 months of this unique program, 1,264 wild animals in Cook County have been examined by a veterinarian and evaluated for poor health. This includes 4 species of fish, 18 species of reptiles, 49 species of birds, and 5 species of mammals. The program resident, in collaboration with the biologists of the FPCC, has conducted blood draws, looked for diseases and injuries, and identified novel pathogens on the landscape.

In total, nearly 20 veterinary mentors across Brookfield Zoo Chicago, the Forest Preserves of Cook County, and the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine will engage with program residents—further strengthening the partnership between the institutions as they work to preserve wildlife. The program draws upon the University of Illinois’ wildlife and conservation medicine programs based in Urbana-Champaign.
 
Rotating between the Forest Preserves and Brookfield Zoo Chicago, program residents are integrally involved in the wildlife health management of a variety of animal populations, including white-tailed deer, Blanding’s turtles, soft-shelled turtles, North American river otters, snakes, several populations of raptors, coyotes, several species of shore and aquatic birds, and various fish species. Additionally, residents receive clinical experience with animals at Brookfield Zoo Chicago and at the Wildlife Epidemiology Lab at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.