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Collaborative Health Care at the Zoo

by Tim L. Tetzlaff, Director of Conservation,
Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens
s most dog lovers know, without the need for physical restraint or needing chemical
some dogs love going to the immobilization. This also means I have more accurate laboratory
v
A eterinarian’s office, but that’s results to diagnose any issues as stress impacts those numbers.”
less than half and almost a fifth exhibit As you can imagine given the domestic dog example above, each
fear-related aggression. Now imagine behavior can take a long time as trust is built. But the rewards are
this scenario: You walk your dog into the profound. Because of these relationships, Naples Zoo keepers can
clinic where your veterinarian is kneeling provide care hard to imagine otherwise. For example, the alligators
holding a syringe. You have a seat while know their names and identify their own unique colored disc on the
your dog walks over to the vet and leans a hip into the needle end of a pole and will walk up and touch their snout to it. You can
to get a shot. Next your dog flops on its side and presents a paw see this in action at the daily Alligator Bay Feeding. This allows staff
for the veterinary technician to draw blood from its leg. Now to call individuals out of the water to assess their body condition
imagine instead of this being a golden retriever, it’s a giraffe and even have them get on a scale. Last year, when reptile keeper
presenting his hoof for trimming; or a Florida panther coming Vittoria Vaturi noted a female alligator’s abdomen appeared larger
up for an intramuscular injection; or how about an alligator than normal, the veterinary team was able to take radiographs to
coming out of the water to get its blood drawn. Yes, even confirm the alligator was retaining eggs. This allowed them to treat
alligators. This is the daily life of the animal care and veterinary her and to take follow up radiographs to confirm she had passed
teams at Naples Zoo. all the eggs – all in a setting where she could walk away at any
Over thirty animal care staff coordinate efforts similar to point. Likewise, the team was able to radiograph a male alligator’s
the examples above and well beyond to improve the physical leg injury and take a culture which allowed them to identify two
and mental wellbeing of the zoo’s animals – with insights different bacteria and target the antibiotics to successfully treat him.
on enrichment and training from Naples Zoo’s Behavioral Daily efforts like these ensure the animals you see on a zoo visit
Husbandry Manager Julie Bragovich. Of course, health care live their best life possible here in Naples. And if you’d like the same
is a critical element of wellbeing so Naples Zoo’s veterinarian for your own pet, talk to your veterinarian about recommended
Dr. Kelsie Stovall and veterinary technicians Brittany Rogers practices for a calm visit to the clinic and check out the resources
and Sara Levine work alongside the keepers to ensure animals dedicated to pet owners at www.fearfreepets.com.
are comfortable while any animal voluntarily participates in Fido may not run to your veterinarian to get a shot, but
procedures. you’ll have a much better appointment – and so will your
“As a veterinarian, this is a tremendous benefit to me as I beloved pet!
don’t need to weigh the stress of getting a diagnostic test against Far from the simple menageries of past, today’s nationally accredited zoos are centers
of learning and natural crossroads for biologists, educators, environmental scientists, and
an animal’s overall welfare for every animal that voluntarily
researchers - as well as for students, conservationists, and all animal lovers. Naples Zoo at
participates in these procedures,” explains Dr. Stovall. “I can Caribbean Gardens is a trusted, private 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving wildlife and families
more readily access critical medical data and provide treatment here and around the world. To learn more about how you can help, email Naples Zoo’s
Director of Conservation at tim@napleszoo.org.

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