Driven to serve wildlife

Kristensen bonds with a male eclectus parrot in Queensland Wildlife Habitat.

Kristensen assesses a grey headed flying fox at Walkabout Wildlife Park in New South Wales.

Kristensen visits with a male sulfur crested cockatoo and a male dusky lorikeet in Walkabout Wildlife Park in New South Wales.

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When Ilya Kristensen refers to bats as “adorable sky puppies,” you immediately know she has an interesting perspective to share. 

Auburn University alumna Kristensen is a self-proclaimed “bird nerd” and lover of bats and scavengers. She’s currently pursuing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from Auburn’s College of Veterinary Medicine with anticipated graduation in 2027, but her wildlife interests extend far beyond Alabama.  

“It’s hard to get exotic wildlife exposure in Alabama,” said Kristensen. “I am not afraid to contact anyone and throw myself at them for service.”  

This perseverance has sent Kristensen as far away as Africa and Australia in her pursuit to serve wildlife. 

Passion for wildlife  

Kristensen attributes her passion for wildlife to a few childhood factors — she spent a lot of time outside, watched a good deal of nature documentaries and had a father who was a biology teacher and wildlife biologist and therefore quite capable of providing good answers to her many inquisitions.  

Kristensen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in wildlife sciences from Auburn’s College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, but her decision to pursue veterinary medicine really stemmed from two experiences. She participated in an African Rhinoceros conservation experience, and she worked at Steel City Emergency Vets in Birmingham, Alabama. 

Kristensen found both positions challenging yet confirming for her. 

“I realized I wanted to save lives however I could,” she said.   

Wombats and kangaroos and emus, oh my 

These experiences seemed to lay the groundwork for her extensive wildlife work in Australia. For the past three years, Kristensen has worked for Loop Abroad, a global pre-veterinary college study abroad and service program, during the summers. 

The program places undergraduate students in a protected wildlife sanctuary in the mountains north of Sydney, where they learn about and care for wildlife, like wombats, Tasmanian devils, emus and kangaroos. 

Students hear lectures on Australian wildlife, work in labs on veterinary clinical skills, build enrichment projects at the sanctuary and assist with habitat creation and food preparation.  

“Students may learn how to do acupuncture on koalas, wound repair on rabbits or both acupuncture and wound repair on snakes,” said Kristensen. “During their two-week stay, they earn 80 vet hours in the program.”  

Love of birds, bats  

During her Australian tenure, Kristensen has developed an “obsession with birds” and delivered bird lectures every summer. She shows students how to handle parrots, which many find intimidating due to their large beaks. She also demonstrates how to give physical exams and perform procedures.  

Participants also work with flying foxes in the sanctuary, which are essentially “big bats,” explains Kristensen. A bat expert teaches students about handling and administering exams and medications.  

“Birds and bats have a lot more personality than people give them credit,” said Kristensen. “They are really funny and capable of so much love,” although she does not deny it hurts when they bite. 

AU experiences abound   

This bird and bat aficionado applies her enthusiasm for wildlife to her Auburn experience as well. She serves on the Auburn University Raptor Center’s care team, handling raptors, administering medicines and assisting with procedures.  

As president of the college’s Zoo, Exotic and Wildlife (ZEW) Club, Kristensen coordinates national and global veterinarians to discuss case studies and advances in the field with club members. An upcoming presentation focuses on invertebrate medicine, including care for spiders, octopi and cockroaches.  

A rhino’s tooth extraction, an elephant’s reproductive screening and hand-feeding a barn owl are just a few of the “cool procedures” Kristensen has performed in her current role as a student intern at the Montgomery Zoo.  

When asked about her favorite wildlife, Kristensen claims that is a difficult question. 

“In general, I love animals who are scavengers, like the trash disposal type of animals,” said Kristensen. “These are your hyenas, vultures and Tasmanian devils. I love them because they play such an important role in our environment, and you’ve got to love the underdog.”  

As for the future, Kristensen discloses that concrete plans can be difficult to assess for someone who seeks conservation work. She does desire to educate people about conservation, to travel and to be an avian vet, potentially working in a zoo.  

“That way I could inspire the future and cuddle parrots and bats while I am at it,” she said.