Diary of a Zoo Vet: Panda Checkups, Escaping Chimps and Life in the Wildest Clinic on Earth

Immerse yourself in the world of a passionate veterinarian, and discover the fascinating behind-the-scenes of a zoo.

Working as a vet in a large zoo is a dream job for many--but for Tim Bouts, it’s reality. As Chief Veterinary Officer, he has spent over 20 years caring for animals in world-renowned parks like London Zoo. Today, he works at the Sheikh of Qatar’s ’Panda House.’ In this book, he shares remarkable stories from his diverse range of patients: a lion battling Covid, a hippopotamus with tuberculosis, a tigress with dental issues, and a gorilla suffering from chronic pain. Some of his anecdotes are heartwarming, like his first successful surgery, or welcoming baby pandas to Pairi Daiza in Belgium. Others are pulse-pounding, such as the failed anesthesia of an antelope, and the escape of two chimpanzees. And some are deeply moving, like the euthanasia of a herd of herpes-stricken elephants or the heartbreaking loss of a walrus mother and her calf. Through these stories, you’ll get a front-row seat to Tim’s daily work and a rare glimpse into his thoughts. He doesn’t shy away from sensitive topics like euthanasia, contraception in zoos, and the challenges of quarantining animals.

Tim Bouts began his career as a veterinary surgeon at London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo before working at several international wildlife parks. Today, he is the Zoological Director of the Sheikh of Qatar’s renowned Panda House and travels the world on special assignments. He played a key role in rescuing the critically endangered Spix’s macaw from extinction, helping to establish breeding programs and ultimately reintroducing the birds to their natural habitat in Brazil.