The Sarah Allison Steffee Center for Zoological Medicine at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has a new full-time veterinarian on staff -- Dr. Mike Selig.
Dr. Selig comes to the Zoo from the Barberton Veterinary Clinic in Summit County where he gained exotic animal experience doing contract vet work for the Akron Zoo. Dr. Selig started working at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo as a relief vet in June, and came on staff full-time in late November.
"We're very pleased to have someone of Dr. Selig's caliber on staff," said General Curator Geoffrey Hall. "He's a great fit for our organization."
A lifelong animal lover, Dr. Selig, 33, began his veterinary career at the Sharon Center Veterinary Hospital in Medina County. He earned his undergraduate degree and his doctorate of veterinary medicine at The Ohio State University.
A resident of Richfield, this Northeast Ohio native credits his parents with nurturing his love of animals.
"I had my fair share of pets," said Selig. "I have to thank my parents for being very understanding whenever I brought home pets I found hiking or from the store (the pet store where he got his first job as a teenager)."
Dr. Selig shares his home with his wife, two sons, three cats, a horse, a miniature donkey and 12 turtles.
The Sarah Allison Steffee Center for Zoological Medicine provides world class care for the Zoo's 3,000 animals, including a radiology lab and the first CT scanner in any zoo. Since its opening in 2004, the Center has supported groundbreaking research and raised awareness of veterinary care issues with visitors. The Center sustains Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's commitment to conservation and reinforces the Zoo's role as a leading institution in scientific animal management.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Regular discounted winter admission through March 31, 2011, is $7 per person, $5 for kids ages 2-11 and free for children younger than 2 and Zoo members. Parking is free. To learn more, visit clemetzoo.com, or call (216) 661-6500.
