During a time when the call for advanced veterinary expertise and training in the wildlife rehabilitation sector has grown louder, The Raptor Center (TRC) has soared thanks to its unwavering commitment to educating and preparing future generations of wildlife and ecosystem health professionals.

The increased need for well-trained wildlife veterinary professionals is evident as the Center’s patient caseload has increased by 38 percent over the past 12 years. Expanding training and mentorship opportunities, such as veterinary residency programs, allows for more capacity to see patients in teaching hospitals and provides platforms to develop the professionals of tomorrow.

TRC’s clinical medicine and research residency is advancing the expertise of passionate veterinarians while increasing support for our hospital. With open hearts and a compassion-fueled vision, long-time friends of TRC generously funded a three-year veterinary residency program that welcomed Dr. Kelsey Rayment to the team in 2022.

Rayment’s pivotal addition enhanced the capabilities of TRC’s medical hospital and deepened its commitment to training the next generation in conservation and ecosystem stewardship.

Her previous academic pursuits at the University of Wisconsin-Madison laid the groundwork for her profound connection with wildlife and ecosystem conservation.

Rayment received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) in 2020 and began building her clinical expertise through a small animal rotating internship at Louisiana State University, where she worked on a study measuring the absorption of medicine in barred owls. This was followed by an internship in zoo, wildlife, and exotic animal medicine at Cornell University. All of her hard work set the stage for her impactful contributions to TRC, which began upon her arrival in July 2022.

Jumping in on HPAI

Hitting the ground running on her TRC journey, Rayment spearheaded a vital research project on highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1 HPAI), uncovering insights into avian resilience and health. This ongoing serology study looks for evidence of previous exposure to H5N1 HPAI by testing for antibodies in the blood of raptors admitted to TRC’s hospital. Additional raptors were sampled at Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory in Duluth, Minn.

If antibodies are initially found, that means the bird was previously exposed to an avian influenza virus, and its immune system mounted a response. A second test is conducted on antibody-positive samples specifically for H5N1 HPAI. This in-depth surveillance of antibodies in wild raptors’ blood is increasing the field’s understanding of resilience among raptor populations.

According to Rayment’s findings, bald eagles in particular are showing a high rate of seropositivity, meaning they have survived previous exposure to the circulating H5N1 HPAI virus. Of the blood samples taken between September 2022 and April 2023, Rayment’s research showed that 67 out of 97 bald eagles (69.1 percent) had antibodies for an influenza virus. When those 67 bald eagles with antibodies were tested specifically for H5N1 HPAI antibodies, 52 birds (77.6 percent) tested positive. The high prevalence of antibodies to H5 and N1 specifically indicates a higher survival rate post-infection in bald eagles than previously believed.

Creating global impact

In early August 2023, Rayment shared preliminary results from her research at the annual Wildlife Disease Association Conference in Athens, Ga. This conference brings wildlife veterinarians and wildlife researchers together to share research and ideas. Her work, celebrated at the conference, exemplifies the blend of learning and leadership that drives our mission.

Rayment has dedicated all three years of her residency with TRC to conducting this groundbreaking and invaluable research, culminating in the recent publication of her work. The paper, titled “Exposure and Survival of Wild Raptors During the 2022-2023 Highly Pathogenic Influenza A Virus Outbreak,” has been published in the esteemed scientific journal, Scientific Reports. Kelsey is continuing to conduct this research on samples collected in 2024.

Collaborating across wildlife species

A key part of TRC’s residency is creating a well-rounded experience for the ecosystem conservation professionals of tomorrow. To best achieve this, TRC facilitated month-long rotations for Rayment with partner wildlife organizations that deal with species and ecosystems different from that of raptors.

During her residency, Rayment went to the heart of Wyoming’s wildlife research, the Tom Thorne & Beth Williams Wildlife Research Center, where her involvement with captive elk, pronghorn, and bighorn sheep research offered invaluable insights into wildlife health and management. Additionally, she worked on writing raptor triage and handling guidelines, which will be used by biologists and wardens in the agency when they encounter an injured raptor.

Last spring, she headed to the Wildlife Medical Clinic at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine for a month-long immersive experience at an all-species wildlife clinic during the height of baby season.

Educating future veterinary and wildlife rehabilitation leaders

Rayment’s influence extends into education, where she has become a cornerstone in nurturing future veterinary leaders. In 2022, Rayment participated in clinical teaching at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), working with 23 fourth-year DVM students. In 2023, she increased that number to 28 students, who worked with her on two-week-long rotations in TRC’s raptor hospital. Rayment also taught 38 students during mini-rotations, helped train TRC’s one-year veterinary interns, and trained one small animal intern and two anesthesia residents from the CVM.

In addition, Rayment has given lectures and hands-on labs on endoscopy, soft tissue surgery, and avian orthopedics for the avian/exotic rotation occurring four times a year. She has participated in Zoo Rounds through the CVM, and National Wildlife Rounds, which are cooperative rounds between large wildlife centers across the U.S. that seek to share information between centers. She has also given several presentations on raptor medicine and rehabilitation to veterinarians and wildlife rehabilitators from across the country at in person conferences and virtual rounds hosted by TRC. Through hands-on training and immersive teaching sessions, she is enriching the veterinary and raptor rehabilitation fields for years to come.

Thank you for your support

The Raptor Center is building a strong future of highly trained raptor medicine and ecosystem conservation veterinarians that will continue to impact and amplify the work performed at The Raptor Center. We’re deeply grateful for the role our generous philanthropic supporters are playing in this initiative. Dr. Kelsey Rayment’s residency is a beacon of progress, empowering TRC to forge meaningful collaborations and tackle grand conservation challenges that are propelling us to make a global impact.