Page 35 - Brookfield Zoo Chicago Annual_Report_2024

Veterinarian Wins Novel Herpesvirus Detected
Prestigious Award in South American Pinniped care
Dr. Jennifer Langan, senior In March 2024, Brookfield Zoo
veterinarian and director of Chicago’s animal care and veterinary
veterinary education at Brookfield teams made a significant contribu-
Zoo Chicago, received the tion to marine mammal research
prestigious 2024 Emil Dolensek with the identification of a novel
Award from the American Associa- herpesvirus in South American
tion of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV). pinnipeds. This groundbreaking
This award honors outstanding research, in collaboration with
contributions to the conservation, the University of Illinois Wildlife
care, and understanding of zoo Epidemiology Lab, was published
and free-ranging wildlife. A clinical in PLOS One. It is a crucial step
professor at the University of forward in understanding and
Illinois Urbana-Champaign, managing the health of South
Langan has been instrumental American fur seals and sea lions in
in advancing Brookfield Zoo zoological care and wild populations.
Chicago’s veterinary programs,
The discovery was possible because
training over 300 veterinary
of the Zoo’s long-standing work
students since 2004.
of ongoing health assessments.
Langan co-founded the Illinois Veterinary teams utilized cutting-
Zoological and Aquatic Animal edge molecular diagnostic tools
Residency Program (IZAAR), now to isolate and characterize the
globally recognized for excellence. previously unknown herpesvirus.
A leader in her field, she has served This marks the first documented
as AAZV president, delivered over detection of a herpesvirus in this
80 scientific presentations, and species group.
became Illinois’ first Board Certified
The findings carry far-reaching
Specialist in Zoological Medicine™.
implications for the conservation
With more than 70 peer-reviewed and care of pinnipeds. Herpesviruses Top: Dr. Matt Allender, Dr. Tom Meehan, Dr. Jennifer Langan,
publications, Langan’s research are known to affect many species Dr. Michael J. Adkesson, and Dr. Sathya Chinnadurai
spans species from penguins and can lead to significant health Bottom: South American sea lions at Punta San Juan, Peru
to pangolins and includes pivotal challenges. The research provides
studies on the Deepwater Horizon valuable insights into potential health
oil spill, which helped hold companies risks and aids in developing preven-
accountable for environmental tive care protocols for pinnipeds
damages. Her achievements in managed and wild populations.
exemplify the legacy of Dr. Emil
Dolensek, a trailblazer in zoological
health and innovation.

ANNUAL REPORT 2024 27