Zoo visitors get front-row seats to watch veterinarians

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New Jersey's Turtle Back Zoo has given visitors the opportunity to watch veterinarians treat the animals. The zoo this year joined the relatively few U.S. zoos - the New Jersey Post notes there are perhaps a dozen or fewer among the 250 accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums - that routinely give the public a view of veterinary care. “It’s a very easy way for the public to really understand and appreciate the care that these animals get,” said veterinarian and former accreditation commission member Dr. Scott Terrell. The zoo’s animal health director, Dr. Heather Schwartz, said the public view enhances transparency. “Anytime things are out of sight, then people make up a narrative about what’s going on. I wanted to make sure . . . that people knew what was going on,” she said.