Miss Priya Bapodra

Priya Bapodra is currently a senior veterinarian at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. She obtained a Masters in Wild Animal Health from the Zoological Society of London and Royal Veterinary College, is a diplomate of the American College of Zoological Medicine, and an RCVS Specialist in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. She serves as an AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) bonobo Species Survival Plan (SSP), giraffe SSP, and ape Taxon Advisory Group veterinary advisor, and on the Executive Committees of the Great Ape Heart Project and North American Elephant Endotheliotrophic Herpesvirus Advisory Group.

Priya’s interests in megavertebrate, and specifically giraffe medicine has resulted in fieldwork alongside the Giraffe Conservation Foundation and the Uganda Wildlife Authority. In 2017, she helped to co-found and now co-leads the National Giraffe Plasma Bank which has resulted in saving the lives of 13 giraffe calves across the US.

Through various professional leadership positions, Priya conducts collaborative and cross-disciplinary research to impact both animals under human care, and in their native range. Priya strives to continue to work towards improving animal wellbeing in zoos and collaboratively with peers to advance zoological medicine both in zoos in the US and globally, to work with veterinarians in range counties to build capacity as needed, and to engage with the community to share the successes and importance of zoos and aquariums in the conservation of species.