Ungulate Resource Group (URG)

The Ungulate Resource Group is a volunteer team of zoological professionals that are available to assist and advise the Ungulate TAGs and individual zoological managers. These experts in their fields provide an invaluable resource for ungulate managers seeking to advance the husbandry and management of hoofstock in their care. For rhinoceros-specific inquiries, please check out the Rhino Research Council.

The Ungulate Resource Group includes experts in the following fields:

Each subject matter unit is chaired by a lead advisor. If you have a query, please reach out to the appropriate lead, who will connect you with the person best suited to respond. If you do not get a response within a reasonable time frame, please contact the Ungulate Resource Group Chair:
Dr. Julie Swenson, Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, TX at julies@fossilrim.org.

Veterinary Medicine

Lead advisor: Dr. Meredith Clancy, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, CA (mclancy@sdzwa.org)

Dr. Kim Thompson, Binder Park Zoo, MI
Dr. Brittni East, Exotic Wildlife Veterinary Services, TX
Dr. Priscilla Joyner, The Wilds, OH
Dr. Michele Miller, Stellenbosch University, South Africa

Nutrition

Lead advisor: Mike Maslanka, M.S., Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, DC (maslankam@si.edu)

Erin Kendrick, M.S., Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, DC
Barbara Henry, M.S., Cincinnati Zoo, OH
Kerri Slifka, M.S., Dallas Zoo, TX
Dr. Jennifer Watts, Chicago Zoological Society, IL
Dr. Kibby Treiber, Zoo Miami, FL

Genetics

Lead advisor: Dr. Andrea Putnam (asputnam@gmail.com )

Dr. Jamie Ivy
Dr. Klaus-Peter Koepfli, Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation, George Mason University, VA
Dr. Emily Latch, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI

Behavior and Ecology

Lead advisor: Dr. Lara Metrione, SEZARC, FL (Lara.Metrione@sezarc.com)

Dr. Cheryl Asa, St. Louis Zoo, MO
Dr. Meredith Bashaw, Franklin & Marshall College, PA
Dr. Gina Ferrie, Zoo Atlanta, GA

Reproduction

Lead advisor: Dr. Parker Pennington, Colossal Biosciences (parkerp513@gmail.com)

Dr. Budhan Pukazhenthi, Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, DC
Dr. Linda Penfold, SEZARC, FL
Dr. Annie Newell-Fugate, Texas A&M, TX
Dr. Jessye Wojtusik, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, NE
Dr. Ashley Franklin, AZA Reproductive Management Center, St. Louis Zoo, MO
Dr. James Gillis

Management

Lead advisor: Steve Metzler, Colossal Biosciences (steve.metzler@live.com)

Dan Beetem, The Wilds, OH
Ashleigh Kandrac, Lion Country Safari, FL
Scotty Wade, White Oak Conservation Center, FL
Tony Barthel, Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, DC

Field Conservation

Lead advisor: Justin Chuven, US Fish and Wildlife Service, CO (Justin_Chuven@fws.gov)

Jared Stabach, Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, DC
Ricardo Pusey, Environment Agency Abu-Dhabi

Population Biology

Lead advisor: Dr. Jamie Ivy (jivy@jamieivy.com)

Dr. Andrea Putnam
Dr. Gina Ferrie, Zoo Atlanta, GA

Education

Lead advisor: Leanne White, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, FL (whitel@jacksonvillezoo.org)

Pam Eby, M.S., Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, NE
Jeremy Gill, M.A.

International Shipments

Lead advisor: Lead Advisor: Dan Beetem, The Wilds (dbeetem@thewilds.org)

                JT Svoke, Binder Park Zoo
                Lynn McDuffie, Disney’s Animal Kingdom
                Jeff Holland
                Linda Penfold, SEZARC
                Dr. David Love, Exotic Wildlife Veterinary Services

TAG Chairs

Antelope, Cattle Giraffid and Camelid TAG: Kristen Wolfe, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, FL
Deer & Caprinae TAG: Michelle Hatwood, Audubon Species Survival Center, LA
Equid TAG: Dr. David Powell, Saint Louis Zoo, MO
Hippo, Peccary, Pig, and Tapir TAG: Martin Ramirez, Woodland Park Zoo, WA

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