Death of a veterinary legend: Dr. Murray Fowler
A veterinary legend in zoologic medicine has recently passed away. Dr. Murray E. Fowler, 85, passed away on May 18, 2014 following a brief illness. Dr. Fowler was Professor Emeritus of Zoological Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis. He was the veterinarian for the Sacramento Zoo for 24 years, and he started the first veterinary school program that dealt specifically with captive and free-ranging wild animals. He was a past member of USAHA.
Dr. Fowler was the author of several key veterinary books including “Restraint and Handling of Wild and Domestic Animals,” “Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine,” “Medicine & Surgery of South American Camelids,” and “Medicine and Surgery of Camelids“. He was also co-author, along with Eric Hoffman, of “The Complete Alpaca Book”. In addition he wrote countless peer-reviewed articles for many veterinary medicine journals and was also considered an expert in elephant, wildlife and zoological medicine.
His funeral will be held on Saturday, May 31 at 11:00 AM. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 785 Elmwood Drive, Davis, California 95616.
Memorial donations to the Sacramento Zoological Association are welcome. Their website is www.saczoo.org
Murray Fowler was a rare and beautiful person. His dedication to animal care had a colossal impact and included many species veterinary medicine hadn’t reached. He took on “zoo animal medicine” which had so many unknowns at the time that most academics were reluctant to get involved. He thrived on challenges and was unafraid to take on tasks like figuring how to get close enough to medicate everything from polar bear to guanaco without injuring the patient or being injured in the process. His field was not for the fainted hearted.
I was able to coauthor “The Complete Alpaca Book” with him. He was the first university based veterinarian in North America to spearhead medicine for South American camelids (llamas, alpacas, guanacos and vicunas). He inspired the animal professionals and owners in ways that made a lasting difference for a wide range of species. Murray will be missed but not forgotten.