Editor’s note: We are reflecting on our 12 most impactful moments of 2025. Your support made these incredible stories of rescue, recovery and wonder at your Zoo possible. Thank you. We celebrate what your support made possible – and ask you to help create even more magical moments in 2026. Learn more here.  

Every day, our veterinary team makes an impact on the lives of their furry, feathery and scaley patients. These critical staff members work long days juggling routine appointments and unexpected urgent medical care for our animal residents while also managing the care of animals brought in as part of our rehabilitation programs. This year, we introduced two new rehabilitation centers, one for manatees and one for Florida black bear cubs. These centers provide life-saving care to patients in need before being released back into their native range. 

With the expansion of the East Coast Zoological Foundation’s conservation programs at our Zoo, our veterinary team has taken on an increased workload. Being on call to rush to the side of a sickly baby bear or early mornings checking in on a new manatee patient is tiring work, but our veterinary team always shows up determined to help these patients in need. Making a difference in the lives of Florida black bear cubs has been particularly impactful to staff veterinarian Dr. Rachel Turner.  

“It’s been very rewarding to be able to provide care for so many orphaned cubs this year,” said Dr. Rachel. “We’ve been able to help a lot of needy cubs, and it’s really cool to know that we are making a difference with a species that is so important to our local ecosystem.”  

Aside from these added responsibilities, our team also rose to the challenge when an influx of hundreds of baby sea turtles flooded through our hospital doors. With several disturbances developing in the Atlantic Ocean this fall, thousands of sea turtle hatchings and post-hatchings washed ashore in need of immediate medical attention. Our team cared for hundreds of sea turtles, and the vast majority of these patients were able to return to their ocean home in a matter of weeks.   

To ensure that we’re providing the best care possible, we’ve expanded our veterinary team and welcomed two new veterinary technicians to our staff this year. Our team of nine works together seamlessly to ensure that our L3 Harris Animal Care Center is running smoothly and the animals that come through its doors are living the best lives possible. 

We’ve also celebrated the achievements of several of our past veterinary interns that had the opportunity to learn from our top-notch team. Our previous zoological veterinary intern, Dr. Lauren Shusterman, began a prestigious zoological medicine residency at the University of Georgia. She also presented at the annual American Association of Zoo Veterinarians Conference in Kansas City this year along with two of our other previous interns.  

We’re incredibly thankful for all the moments of impact that our veterinary team has had this year. We’re continuing to count down to the end of the year with these feel-good stories, so keep tuning in to see what your support has helped us accomplish.  

Brevard Zoo is an independent, not-for-profit organization that receives no recurring government funding for our operating costs. Your generous support enables us to continue to serve our community and continue our vital animal wellness, education and conservation programs.