Skip to content

Prof Simon Girling

BVMS DZooMed CBiol FSB DipECZM PhD FRCVS
Simon Girling
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Year of Fellowship: 2016
  • Route to Fellowship: Meritorious Contributions to the Profession

Field of work

Clinical practice (charity)

Areas of special interest

  • zoological medicine
  • conservation
  • reintroduction medicine

Areas of support

  • Collaborative research
  • International issues
  • One Health Agenda
  • Professional mentoring
  • Promoting knowledge and best practice
  • Public engagement

Professional positions

  • Immediate Past President and Executive Committee Member of the European College of Zoological Medicine
  • Honorary Clinical Associate Professor, Glasgow University Veterinary School
  • Visiting Professor, University of the Highlands and Islands
  • Chair of DEFRA's Zoo Experts Committee
  • Member of the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission
  • EAZA Felid Taxon Advisory Group Veterinary Advisor
  • European Ex situ Programme Veterinary Advisor for Pallas' Cat (Felis manul)
  • European Studbook Veterinary Advisor for the Scottish Wildcat

Biography

Simon Girling has been the Head of Veterinary Services to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland since 2009.
He has been a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Recognised Specialist in Zoo & Wildlife Medicine since 2003 and a European Board of Veterinary Specialisation Recognised Specialist in Zoo Health Management since the founding of the discipline in 2012.
He is a past President of the British Veterinary Zoological Society and committee member for over 10 years and is current immediate Past President of the European College of Zoological Medicine (ECZM) which oversees veterinary training and awards specialisation in exotic pet, zoo and wildlife species to European Qualification Framework Level 8.
Simon Girling has a strong track record in mentoring veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses in the discipline of zoological medicine, having set up the first ECZM Residency in Zoo Health Management in the UK and the first post graduate course in veterinary nursing of exotic pet, zoo and wildlife species
Simon Girling currently Chairs DEFRA's Zoo Experts Committee providing specialist advice to the UK and devolved government Ministers on all aspects of the Zoo Licensing Act and the Secretary of State's Standards for Modern Zoo Practice.

Back to results