The North Carolina Zoo has a new partnership with a veterinary hospital in Cary that will provide specialists to perform surgeries and procedures on the zoo's animals.

The Veterinary Specialty Hospital of the Carolinas said Friday it will be working with the zoo.

Chief of Surgery Dr. Gary Spodnick says he's performed surgeries on elephants, gorillas, wart hogs, lions, kangaroos, goats and even a polar bear in recent years.

Spodnick says he's excited about using those skills at the zoo, since the hospital only treats cats and dogs.

North Carolina Zoo Society Executive Director Russ Williams says the partnership allows the zoo to benefit from the hospital's specialty services.

The goal of the partnership is to provide the zoo veterinarians with additional access to veterinary specialists.