Meet the Expert

🐼 Panda Pioneer & Conservation Leader

Dr. Aitken-Palmer's career is highlighted by her profound impact on Giant Panda conservation.

  • Panda Success: Her specialization in giant panda reproductive physiology led to the successful birth of 10 giant panda cubs across the United States. She was recognized for her collaborative work on a successful artificial insemination by winning a gold award in the "Panda Personality of 2013" category.

  • Global Training: She was the Chief Veterinarian for the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI), where she developed and led training programs to build veterinary capacity for those working in zoos in China, focusing on reproductive health and overall well-being. During her residency at the University of Florida she led a group of veterinary students in Honduras, Thailand, and Vietnam.

  • Board Certification: She is a Diplomate of the American College of Zoological Medicine (DACZM), signifying the highest level of expertise in zoo medicine.

🔬 Expertise & Current Roles

Dr. Aitken-Palmer is a highly decorated scientist and clinician:

  • Senior Clinician: She serves as a Senior Veterinarian at the Brookfield Zoo Chicago, where she contributes to the health and well-being of zoo species and trains residents.

  • Teleconsultant: She consults internationally as a Specialist Teleconsultant, leveraging her expertise in unique species like pangolins and red pandas.

  • Education: She holds both a DVM and a Master of Science in clinical sciences from Kansas State University, as well as a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland. She completed her zoological medicine residency at the University of Florida where she cared for exotic pets, zoo housed animals and wildlife throughout Florida.

  • Awards: She is a two-time recipient of awards from the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, including the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award (2013) and the Alumni Recognition Award (2024), for her exemplary role modeling in the profession.

Her recent focus includes researching emerging health concerns in species like red pandas and pangolins, and she was recently awarded a grant to establish the first-ever guidebook for monitoring the well-being of zoo species during transport.

The YouTube video, "Clinical Take Home: Guinea pig cystitis with Dr. Copper Aitken-Palmer," shows her providing specialized consultation on a common exotic pet concern.

List of Publications
Rabbit Nasolacrimal Disease Lecture
Rabbit Ileus & GI Stasis Lecture

  • Pandas and Pangolins Consulting Founder & Global Teleconsultant

    My journey as a teleconsulting specialist began in 2020 at VetCT (UK), where I served as a Teleconsultant dedicated to high-level care for exotic pets, zoo animals, and wildlife.

    This work quickly confirmed a powerful truth: Every veterinarian wants the best for their unique patients, and by working together even remotely, we can achieve it.

    When VetCT closed its telemedicine division in 2025, the need for this specialized, collaborative support was stronger than ever. I immediately launched Pandas and Pangolins Consulting to ensure this essential global partnership continues, cementing my commitment to elevating specialty care for unique species worldwide.

Company Values

Pandas and Pangolins Consulting is guided by principles that ensure the highest standard of care for special species, partnership, and professional development for veterinarians entrusted with the care of unique species.

We are dedicated to advancing the health and well-being of exotic pets, zoo-housed species, and wild animals in human care globally. We utilize board-certified expertise to ensure every consultation contributes to the best possible medical outcome.

We value collaborative excellence and function as a seamless extension of your veterinary team. By working together closely, we ensure prompt, specialized, and comprehensive care strategies that prioritize the welfare of the patient.

Our goal is to empower our veterinary clients by providing clear guidance, strategic diagnostics, and effective treatment plans. We strive to instill confidence and facilitate excellence in your daily practice through kind communication during consultation.

We are committed to a long-term partnership focused on elevating your skills. Through supportive, consistent consultation, we aspire to help you enhance your expertise in caring for specialized species, directly contributing to broader animal care and conservation efforts.

Two rabbits, one brown and one black, are resting on a wooden floor, with the brown rabbit sitting inside a red container and the black rabbit lying beside it. In the background, a guinea pig is in a small yellow and blue plastic guinea pig house, and people are sitting and standing in an indoor space, likely a petting zoo or rabbit exhibit.

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