Sylvia Taylor Invited Paper Session

Dr. Sylvia Taylor (1963-2005)

Dr Sylvia Taylor, of Temple Terrace (Tampa), FL, devoted her all-too-short life to animal welfare. Her unexpected death on January 6, 2005, from a cerebral sinus thrombosis, was a shock to her many friends around the world. At the time of her death, she was working as the Non-Human Primate Field Specialist for the division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) which enforces the U.S. Animal Welfare Act.

Sylvia was born April 4, 1963, at Fort Stewart, GA. Her first love was always animals. From the age of four, she was determined to become a veterinarian --- a goal she accomplished at the age of 22, receiving her DVM in 1986 from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. After receiving her degree, Sylvia was employed by the USDA, where she continued to work until her death. She was one of the first USDA Veterinary Medical Officers to focus on animal welfare issues, even before the USDA's Animal Care division was formed. She was involved with the Animal Care program from its very beginning years, and she was the first to fill its recently developed primate specialist position. She constantly shared her knowledge with everyone, both inside and outside of the USDA.

Sylvia had incredible compassion for animals and a constant thirst for knowledge, with a special love and interest in animal behavior, primates, elephants, birds, and marine mammals. She was active in a variety of professional organizations, nationally and internationally, and was a former chair of the Animal Behavior Society's Animal Care Committee. For the last several years, she also served as a consultant for International Veterinary and Animal Welfare Consulting in Tampa, FL. She traveled extensively throughout the world, both in a professional capacity and to pursue personal interests (that always included animal activities).

Sylvia is survived by her parents, Martin and Gertrud Taylor; her beloved grandmother, Hildegard Rosenkranz; four aunts and uncles; 13 cousins; and by many of the thousands of animals that she so dearly loved and protected. She will be truly missed by all who knew her and had the experience of working with her. It is in honor of her commitment to animal welfare, with its recent emphasis upon primates, that the Animal Behavior Society is hosting this special session on primate behavior and welfare.