Introducing Our Exotics Team
Neil Forbes
Our team is led by Neil Forbes DipECZM(avian) FRCVS. Neil is an RCVS and European Recognised Specialist in Avian Medicine. Neil graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 1983 with a 1st Class Honours degree. He gained his RCVS Specialist status in 1992 and his FRCVS by examination in Exotic Bird Medicine in 1996. He gained his European Diploma (European Recognised Specialist) in 1997.
Neil Directs and Supervises the only ECZM Residency program in the UK. Residents are qualified and experienced exotic animal vets, who take further training at Great Western Exotics over a period of three years, before becoming eligible to sit their Specialist examinations.
Neil has received the following awards: MSD AgVet Trophy and Award, Centenary Award, Mackellar Award, BSAVA Melton Award, BVA William Hunting Award and Lafeber Avian Practitioner Award and the Gerlach Senior Award.
Neil has written and published widely as well as lecturing to international conferences in many parts of the world; is a part time senior lecturer in avian medicine at the University of Bristol; and is currently President of the European College of Zoological Medicine.
Mikel Sabater
Mikel graduated from the University of Valencia (Spain) in 2005, and has been seeing referral exotic patients in his own practice prior to joining us here.
Mikel completed externships in numerous zoological parks, wildlife centres and universities across Europe and America post graduation to gain experience in exotic and zoological medicine, and joined us in February 2011 to start his 3 year Residency in Avian Medicine from the European College of Zoological Medicine.
Shiva Sawmy,
BSc, BVM&S MRCVS
Originally from Mauritius, Shiva qualified from the University of Edinburgh in 2010 (who provide the most comprehensive exotic animal training of any UK Vet School), having undertaken his final year elective in Exotics and Wildlife medicine. Since graduating, Shiva has worked in small animal practices in the UK and also spent 6 months back in Mauritius on conservation projects with long-tailed macaques, endangered avifauna and for a small animal welfare/neutering charity called PAWS.
Prior to his veterinary training, Shiva had already gained an honours degree in Biology and Environmental Science from the University of Mauritius in 2002. After this initial degree he spent four years working for the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation in the national parks of Mauritius with some of the world’s most endangered species, such as the Pink Pigeon, Mauritius kestrel, Echo Parakeet and Round Island Boa.
When time permits Shiva relaxes by hiking, running, bird watching, exploring the countryside and going to music shows.
“In the end we will conserve only what we love.
We will love only what we understand.
We will understand only what we are taught.”
Emma Whitlock
Emma is our senior avian and exotic nurse who joined us in August 2010. Emma has had a wide and varied career so far working with exotics and wildlife in various hospital settings including the worlds busiest wildlife hospital and the Zoological Society of London's Whispnade Zoo.
Emma graduated from her 4 year BSc (Hons) degree in Veterinary Nursing and went straight into clinical mixed practice before joining the vet dept at Whipsnade Zoo.
Emma has also enjoyed a spell working in academia as programme leader and lecturer for the degree in vet nursing, and she continues to lecture to nurses and publish work relating to nursing of exotic species, alongside her role here.
Amy Underdown
Amy started veterinary nursing in 2003, and qualified in 2006 in Leicestershire. She has worked in mixed, farm and equine practice, and small animal practices. Amy joined GWE in 2010, as a part time avian and exotics nurse. Amy is otherwise employed in Gloucester in a small animal practice.
Amy has always had a keen interest in exotics and completed the City and Guilds Certificate of Exotic Veterinary Nursing in 2010. She is currently studying for Certificate in Veterinary Nursing of Rabbits.
In her spare time Amy enjoys walking, carrying out home improvements, going to the gym, socialising with friends, horse riding, gardening and attempting agility with her dog.
