MSU Veterinary College, Jackson Zoo Announce New Partnership

Signing the new memorandum of understanding were (front, l-r) Jerry Gilbert, MSU provost and executive vice president, Jackson Mayor Tony T. Yarber, and Beth Poff, director of the Jackson Zoo. Looking on were (back, l-r) Dr. Jack Smith, MSU-CVM director of clinical education, Greg Bohach, MSU vice president for the Division of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Kent Hoblet, MSU-CVM dean, Jason Goree, Jackson director of economic development, and Kim Bracey, executive assistant to the mayor of Jackson.

STARKVILLE, Miss. (Press Release) — Officials at Mississippi State’s College of Veterinary Medicine and the Jackson Zoo are formalizing and expanding a partnership to enable more research opportunities for both institutions.

For many years, the state’s only university-based veterinary medical education program has provided its students with opportunities to work at the zoo and learn more about exotic medicine. The program’s successful application and the zoo’s commitment to keeping pace with the zoological science and research recently resulted in a memorandum of understanding between the two.

Under terms of the new agreement, veterinary students will have additional opportunities beginning with the 2015 spring semester to learn about zoo and wildlife medicine.

Zoo director Beth Poff, Jackson Mayor Tony T. Yarber and Jerry Gilbert, MSU’s provost and executive vice president, were MOU signatories.

“Our zoo is a wonderful teaching tool and the MSU-CVM students and faculty have the brain power and enthusiasm to help us advance our endangered species research,” Poff said. “We want students here to publish research and help us expand our species survival plan. This type of work doesn’t just benefit the zoo, it is important for understanding and preserving endangered species around the world.”

According to Yarber, the zoo’s plans and the MSU students’ expanded involvement are clear signs of the capital city’s continuing growth and development.

Noting that the partnership fits within Jackson’s municipal and state-wide missions, Yarber said, “We see the zoo as the epicenter of West Jackson. Building a stronger program there is the first step in developing the area and making changes that will impact the city and state. This partnership makes an enormous impact.”

MSU veterinary students currently work under the supervision of Dr. Michael Holifield of Laurel, an alumnus of the college and the zoo’s consulting veterinarian, to learn about the day-to-day management of exotic animal health.

Dr. Kent Hoblet, dean of the college, said expanding the program will provide students and faculty opportunities to publish research about the endangered species at the zoo, biosecurity, animal husbandry, and more.

“We have enjoyed a long and very good relationship with the zoo,” Hoblet said. “Our students have learned a lot from Dr. Holifield, and growing this program means even more opportunities.

“Now, our students won’t have to go far at all to get involved in zoological epidemiology research, and understand infectious diseases in captive and free-ranging wildlife. This will certainly serve them well as they step out into their careers,” Hoblet added.