Dr. Ellie Milnes is a wildlife veterinarian and Lecturer in Conservation Medicine at the Royal Veterinary College whose research focuses on the anesthesia of rhinos and other wild hoofed mammals. Much of her field research takes place in Africa, where she studies how wildlife veterinary interventions can be made safer and more effective. Dr. Milnes trained as a veterinarian at the University of Cambridge and completed specialist training in zoological medicine and pathology through Toronto Zoo and the University of Guelph. She is also a National Geographic Explorer and a specialist certified by both the American and European Colleges of Zoological Medicine.

A major focus of her research is wildlife anesthesia. Rhinos must sometimes be darted and immobilized for veterinary treatment, translocation and conservation research, but the powerful drugs involved can affect breathing, circulation and other vital functions. Dr. Milnes studies these physiological responses and compares drug combinations to help develop safer anesthesia protocols. Her work has also investigated health problems in critically endangered eastern black rhinos in Kenya, including cataracts and blindness.

In the field, Dr. Milnes’ work has included darting and immobilizing rhinos, conducting physical and eye examinations, using ultrasound and collecting biological samples for further analysis. In Kenya, she used ultrasound to examine the eyes of Alfie, a black rhino born blind, as part of a wider investigation that combined eye examinations with genetic research. By improving the tools and techniques used to study, treat and move these enormous animals, Dr. Milnes is helping make conservation interventions safer while expanding what scientists know about rhino health.