Dr. Mike J Murray
Jane Dunaway Director of Veterinary Services
Dr. Michael Murray (or "Dr. Mike" as he's known by all) is a leading authority in sea otter conservation efforts from California to the Russian Far East. Dr. Mike provides routine healthcare for animals in the Aquarium’s living collection, from sea otters to shorebirds to giant Pacific octopus. He's also deeply engaged in the exhibit and field research activities of the Aquarium and was honored by his peers in 2002 as Exotic Veterinarian of the Year.
Dr. Mike is the veterinarian for the Aquarium's pioneering Sea Otter Program, which integrates the live stranding program with conservation research efforts and treats sea otters for return to the wild. Dr. Mike's also a sought-after and highly respected collaborator with sea otter researchers throughout the Pacific Rim.
"Being from Indiana, my first opportunity to actually get down to the Pacific Ocean and explore tide pools was at Soberanes Point in 1975. I couldn't get enough of it. I would return right after work nearly every day."
Dr. Michael J. Murray
The Monterey County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recognized Dr. Mike as its two-time Humanitarian of the Year, and his peers honored him as Exotic Veterinarian of the Year in 2002.
He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Purdue University and is currently a research associate at the University of California, Santa Cruz. He also serves on the Accreditation Commission of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), which honored him as Accreditation Inspector of the Year in 2011.
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