The conservation and veterinary communities lost a dear friend last month with the sudden and unexpected death of Dr. Melissa Kling, an ardent wildlife lover and stalwart member of Vital Ground’s Development Committee.
Melissa dedicated both her professional and volunteer life to animals. She received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1983 from the University of Georgia and was active in the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians for the last two decades, serving in various leadership roles including Executive Director. Melissa lived in Macon, Ga., and served as Director of the Animal Care Facility at Mercer University School of Medicine as well as the Attending Veterinarian at Mercer’s Macon, Savannah and Columbus campuses. She is survived by her husband, Pep, and an array of pets.
Melissa’s first experience with grizzly bears was at the St. Louis Zoo, where she completed a veterinary externship in 1982. She felt a connection with grizzlies that she had not experienced with any other animals at the zoo. She learned of Vital Ground in 2003 when Growing Up Grizzly aired on television and quickly became a supporter.
For the last several years, Melissa worked hard to extend her positive impact for animals by serving as an advisor on Vital Ground’s Development Committee. She often reached out to Vital Ground donors with handwritten thank-you notes, helped secure donations for our fundraising auctions and shared valuable ideas for raising money to protect crucial wildlife habitat in the Northern Rockies, despite it being far from her home in the Southeast. Melissa’s passion for wildlife, tireless work on behalf of animals and steadfast commitment to Vital Ground’s mission leaves a lasting source of inspiration and a concrete conservation legacy on the ground in grizzly country. We will miss her dearly.
Several of Melissa’s colleagues and friends have requested ways to donate in her honor. You can honor her love and commitment to wildlife by making a memorial donation in support of habitat protection. When entering payment details be sure to check the box for memorial donations and type in Melissa’s name. From all of us at Vital Ground, thank you for extending her conservation impact and honoring her with your support of wildlife.
