One Health Seminar Series Presents ‘Of Pangolins and People’
Dr. Marc Valitutto, a zoo, wildlife and exotic animal veterinarian from the Smithsonian’s Global Health Program, will present “Of Pangolins and People” at Delaware Valley University on Thursday, Feb. 1. The talk will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Life Sciences Building auditorium. All are welcome, and there is no cost to attend. Guests do not need to register in advance.
Dr. Valitutto currently serves as a wildlife veterinary medical officer for the Smithsonian’s Global Health Program, where he focuses on coordinating and implementing wildlife health studies and training in Asia.
Since 2016, Dr. Valitutto has been evaluating the health status of pangolins in the wild, a rapidly declining population as a direct result of poaching and a high regional demand for their products. Dr. Valitutto hopes to reduce the illegal trafficking of the critically endangered and charismatic pangolins.
Credit: iStock. Pangolin populations are declining because of poaching and the high demand for pangolin products.
Dr. Valitutto received his doctorate of veterinary medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and completed a four-year residency in zoological medicine and surgery at the Wildlife Conservation Society and Cornell University. He has held positions as the head interim veterinarian for the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and as general curator and veterinarian for the Staten Island Zoological Society. Dr. Valitutto’s passion for species conservation and the welfare of humans, animals, and the environment is evident in his extensive training and research.
“DelVal provides students with the knowledge and experience to tackle the most important issues of our time,” said DelVal Associate Professor and Co-Chair of the Animal Biotechnology and Conservation Department Reg Hoyt. “Conservation efforts like this one are a great example of ways that individuals can make a difference.”
The presentation is being sponsored by the University’s One Health Working Group and DelVal’s School of Business and Humanities. One Health is a multi-disciplinary approach that works locally, regionally, nationally and globally to attain optimal well-being for people and society, the environment and plants, and animals. Together, the three major components make up the One Health triad, and the well-being of each is inextricably linked to the others in the triad.
For a complete list of the Spring 2018 One Health Seminar Series events, click here.