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Taking a
Bite Out
of Dental
Disease
At Brookfield Zoo, our animals’
oral health care is a top priority.
Read about the exceptional care
provided by our team of specialists.
B en calmly holds still when a toothbrush is inserted into his
gaping mouth. He opens wide for several minutes while
his teeth are brushed for him. Parents and young children
around the world are familiar with this routine. But Ben is not a
child—he’s a hairy, 225-pound Bornean orangutan at Brookfield Zoo.
The species is critically endangered, and at 44, Ben is one of the oldest
male Bornean orangutans living in North American zoos. Like many
geriatric animals, he is susceptible to dental problems. Regular tooth
brushing by an animal care specialist removes the food particles and
bacteria-packed plaque that cling to his teeth.
BROOKFIELD ZOO | SPRING 2023 25
