College of Veterinary Medicine alumnus and pioneer in the world of marine mammal medicine to speak March 16

Auburn College of Veterinary Medicine alumnus Dr. Forrest Townsend Jr. will be on campus Monday, March 16, to discuss how lessons learned from efforts to save the vaquita, an endangered species of porpoise, can aid in saving other species. A 1976 graduate of Auburn’s Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program, Townsend is a pioneer and leader in the world of marine mammal medicine, having spent most of his career in Sarasota, Florida studying wild dolphin health. He has recently participated in field operations as senior veterinarian in efforts to prevent the extinction of the world’s most endangered marine mammal, the vaquita porpoise.

Townsend’s presentation, hosted by the Auburn University student chapter of the World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association, will be held in the Overton Auditorium of the Veterinarian Education Center, 1150 Wire Road, from 12-1 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.