Pfaudler Lecture: The Evolving Role of Zoos in Our Community, in Science, and in Conservation

Louis DiVincenti, DVM 

Seneca Park Zoo  


Dr. Louis DiVincenti, DVM, MS is the Zoo's Director of Animal Health and Conservation, as of January 1, 2018. In 2006, he served as the Aab Pre-Veterinary Fellow at the Zoo, a paid research and clinical fellowship at the Zoo for pre-vet college students.  

Originally from Louisiana, Dr. DiVincenti volunteered and worked at Audubon Zoo in New Orleans before pursuing his veterinary degree. He graduated from the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. After completing a residency in comparative medicine at University of Rochester, where he worked with Dr. Wyatt, he was appointed to the faculty there. More recently, he was board certified by the American College of Animal Welfare and is the only veterinarian in New York State with a specialty in animal welfare. 

Dr. DiVincenti is a world-class zoo veterinarian and remarkable ambassador for Seneca Park Zoo, and Zoos in general. He is one of only a hand-full of  zoo veterinarians, working at a zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), who is also boarded in Animal Welfare, one of the highest priorities of animal care identified by zoo professionals and the public. Both Dr. DiVincenti and the high-level of professional care that he provides the animals at Seneca Park Zoo were applauded by the AZA Accreditation Team during their most recent 5-year on-site inspection, in 2018. Larry Staub, Director of the Parks & the Director of the Seneca Park Zoo until his retirement in 2019.