By Amanda Bielecki, DVM '25

In an ever-changing society, the roles of biologists and veterinarians remain essential in the conservation of wildlife and biodiversity more broadly. With the support of Jake Holshuh ’67, DVM ’69, who sponsored my experience through the Cornell K. Lisa Yang Center for Wildlife Health’s Student Support Fund, I had an incredible opportunity to participate in the Free-Ranging Wildlife Externship at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Through this externship, I gained firsthand experience working with teams of strong veterinary leaders who work selflessly on the ground and behind the scenes to aid in conservation efforts. With the state’s diverse landscape and wide range of ecosystems, I hoped to engage with the abundant variety of conservation projects; California did not disappoint!

California Department of Fish and Wildlife: A Frontline Experience

My first two weeks were spent with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) at the Wildlife Health Lab (WHL). I had the privilege of working with a diverse team of wildlife veterinarians: Dr. Deana Clifford (non-game species veterinarian), Dr. Claire Butkus (restricted species veterinarian), and Drs. Emma Lantz and Brandon Munk (game species veterinarians). Under their guidance, I engaged with a variety of projects, including conducting necropsies on a black bear and other mammal species, inspecting wildlife rehabilitation facilities, and participating in wildfire response tabletop exercises.

The highlight of my time with CDFW was undoubtedly assisting in grey wolf capture efforts. I found it exhilarating to witness a helicopter capture for the first time. After hours of anticipation, seeing the capture crew return with a wolf was an unforgettable moment. I am honored to have had the privilege of assisting the UC Berkeley California Wolf Project team and CDFW in their efforts to improve the management of grey wolves, which have independently returned to California after being extirpated. Helping to monitor the wolves’ vital signs and collect samples during the captures will remain a highlight of my veterinary schooling. This was a pivotal experience that has further inspired me to pursue a career in the field of population medicine.

I had thought my time in California couldn’t get any better, but my third week led me to the UC Davis One Health Institute, where I took a wildlife health course led by Dr. Mike Ziccardi, executive director of the One Health Institute. Each day of the course was packed with exciting new lectures covering topics ranging from wildlife diseases to wildlife health policies and politics, as well as wildlife toxicology. I was amazed by the breadth of information I obtained within a single week and had a blast connecting with the supportive network of faculty and fellow wildlife medicine enthusiasts!

When not in the classroom, this course offered various field trips. For instance, a trip to the Point Reyes National Seashore introduced me to the ongoing management challenges between local cattle ranching and conservation of tule elk following their reintroduction in the 1970s. My understanding of wildlife health in the face of ecological and human-wildlife conflict was deepened after learning about the many factors at play, including Johne’s disease (a chronic intestinal infection that impacts ruminants), tule elk habitat restrictions due to fencing, and environmental pressures resulting from recent droughts.

The wildlife health course also allowed me to plunge into marine health. I learned about emergency response strategies planned by the Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN) through discussions with Dr. Jamie Sherman, the wildlife care veterinarian for OWCN, and Dr. Victoria Hall, the director of OWCN. My lessons were put into action during my visit to the San Francisco Bay Oiled Wildlife Care and Education Center, where I engaged in oiled bird examinations and an animal intake lab.

Diving into Marine Wildlife at UC Santa Cruz

I spent my last week diving deep into marine wildlife at the University of California, Santa Cruz. At the Institute of Marine Sciences Laboratory, I worked with the campus veterinarian, Dr. Megan Moriarty. At the Marine Wildlife Veterinary Care and Research Center, I learned from their veterinary specialist and pathologist, Dr. Melissa Miller. This week was packed full of new opportunities, including a chance to learn about the diverse marine research at UCSC. I am interested in pursuing wildlife research in graduate school, so this week was invaluable to me. I greatly appreciated the time taken by both Dr. Moriatry and Dr. Miller to provide beneficial mentorship and suggestions regarding my future aspirations.

During my final days of the externship, I was thrilled to get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Monterey Bay Aquarium with the director of veterinary services, Dr. Mike Murray, to learn about the facility’s setup and veterinary responsibilities. One of my favorite experiences was standing among the elephant seals during pupping season, listening to their loud, guttural calls echo across the beach—a true California coast moment!

Looking Ahead

I am beyond grateful for the chance to meet so many wonderful conservation and wildlife health leaders during my externship and to participate in the many projects the state had to offer. California’s conservation efforts are as dynamic as its landscapes, and I am honored to have contributed, even in a small way, to the ongoing work of preserving its incredible wildlife. I appreciate everyone who helped make this month so memorable. This experience strengthened my passion for wildlife medicine and reinforced my commitment to making a lasting impact in conservation.

Amanda Bielecki, Class of 2025, is a recent DVM graduate of Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She received her bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry in 2020. Her career interests include free-ranging wildlife management and population health-based medicine.

All photos provided by Amanda Bielecki.