Dr. Tarah Hadley first discovered her passion for working with animals at age 16 when she helped rescue a box turtle.
This set her on a lifelong path that would lead to her getting into the care and rehabilitation of exotic animals. She’s now accepted the position of Senior Director of Veterinary Care at the San Antonio Zoo, making her both the first woman and first Black person to take the role in the zoo’s 110-year history.
Hadley will lead the 18-person department that is responsible for the medical care and procedures of all zoo animals. Only 1.3% of veterinarians working in the U.S. are Black, according to a 2023 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey.
Hadley says she is excited to take the San Antonio Zoo into its next chapter, as it prepares for its new gorilla exhibit and extends its conservation efforts.
“My role as a veterinarian comes with a lot of responsibilities,” Hadley told the San Antonio Report. “I hope I can be a role model for any child hoping to get into this arena.”
Originally from Boston, Hadley said she’s always been fond of animals, but it was that moment of rescuing a turtle that had her seriously consider saving exotic animals as a future career path.
“I hadn’t thought about a job taking care of animals up to that point,” she said. “I wanted to do something to help just one animal, and that blossomed into a lifelong career that I feel so fortunate to have working with wildlife.”
Hadley joined the San Antonio Zoo in 2019 as the assistant director of veterinary care and is a board-certified specialist in avian medicine and surgery.
Her adept handling of animals in below-freezing temperatures during Winter Storm Uri in February 2021 further underscored her commitment to animal wellbeing, according to a press release issued by the zoo earlier this week.
Hadley previously worked at Georgia’s AWARE Wildlife Center, where she helped transform the facility into the state’s most extensive wildlife rehabilitation center, managing the rescue, rehabilitation and release of more than 3,500 native species annually.
She was named as one of Blooloop’s Top 50 Zoo and Aquarium Influencers in 2022 and was 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 said. “I look forward to engaging with the public and our community partners in this new chapter of our zoo’s growth and development.”
Tim Morrow, president and CEO of the San Antonio Zoo, said the zoo is very excited about Hadley’s promotion.
“Not only is she incredible at her craft, but she is also a wonderful human who will lead our award-winning institution into the most momentous year in our … history,” he said. “We cannot wait for the bright future ahead for all animals and guests.”
