'Bright future ahead': SA Zoo announces milestone hire for veterinary care department

SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Zoo this week announced the promotion of Tarah Hadley to the position of senior director of veterinary care, making her the first woman and first Black employee to lead the department in the zoo's 110-year history.

"This appointment marks a significant milestone not only for the zoo but also in the broader context of a field where African American veterinarians represent only 1.2% of the profession, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2021," the zoo said in a press release.

Hadley found her love for veterinary care at the age of 16 after rescuing a turtle, igniting her passion to the care and rehabilitation of exotic animals.

She joined the San Antonio Zoo family in 2019 as the assistant director of veterinary care, where the zoo said "she has demonstrated exceptional leadership and expertise." 

Hadley is a board-certified specialist in avian medicine and surgery, where she ensures the health and happiness of every animal at the zoo.

"Her adept handling of the 2021 winter storm crisis further underscored her commitment to animal wellbeing, as she led efforts to protect and relocate hundreds of animals in the face of extreme weather conditions and power grid disruptions," the zoo shared

Hadley transformed the facility at Georgia's AWARE Wildlife Center into the state's most extensive wildlife rehabilitation center, managing the rescue, rehabilitation and release of more than 3,500 native species annually, according to the zoo.

She has continued her advocacy in San Antonio by significantly impacting the local homeless pet population; and her achievements have earned her a place among the Top 50 Zoo & Aquarium Influencers in 2022 and a finalist for the national Hero Veterinarian award by American Humane.

"I am excited to lead our animal health and nutrition teams as we support San Antonio Zoo's wildlife conservation mission," Hadley is quoted as saying in a release. "I look forward to engaging with the public and our community partners in this new chapter of our zoo's growth and development."