Page 34 - Brookfield Zoo Chicago Annual_Report_2024

ANIMAL HEALTH, WELFARE, AND SCIENCE

Bolstering Our Hoof Trim cadaver hooves, and live animals, conference in September 2024,
Expertise such as goats and horses. Miller led an important discussion
The team also observed voluntary about recent advances in zoo animal
In 2024, Brookfield Zoo Chicago giraffe hoof trims at other zoos. welfare science.
expanded its expertise in hoof care Delk also participated in a five-day
for giraffes and other ungulates, course specifically designed for zoo In the fall, Brookfield Zoo Chicago
proudly hosted the AZA Professional
enhancing the Zoo’s capacity veterinarians that covered common
to support optimal animal welfare. foot pathologies of ungulates, and Development Course, “Animal
Welfare: Evidence-Based Manage-
how different apparatuses such
Ungulates—hoofed animals ment” at the Zoo. 19 participants
as supportive shoes can stabilize
such as giraffes, zebras, goats, from 16 different facilities, including
and support the foot as it heals.
and antelope—require regular hoof two international participants from
trims to maintain their health when Singapore and Argentina, joined
Animal Welfare Science
in professional care. Overgrown us for the week-long course where
Leadership
hooves can lead to long-term harm, they learned through hands-on
affecting an animal’s feet, legs, Brookfield Zoo Chicago continues experience and built the skills
and overall body condition. While to lead professional standards necessary to implement an
many of the Zoo’s ungulates receive of science-based animal welfare evidence-based management
hoof trims during their routine thanks to the Zoo’s Animal program that promotes high
exams, giraffes and goats require Welfare and Science team, levels of animal welfare.
more frequent maintenance. led by Vice President of Animal
Welfare Science Dr. Lance Miller.
To bolster the team’s expertise,
clinical veterinarian Dr. Katie Delk, In the spring of 2024, Miller was
lead animal care specialists Caroline appointed vice-chair of the World
Jung and Dana Vinci, and senior Association of Zoos and Aquariums
animal care specialist Kate Jungiewicz (WAZA) Ethics and Animal Welfare
attended a seven-day course for Committee, a role in which he
zoo professionals hosted by the represents Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Zoo Hoofstock Trim Program. on the global stage and brings focus
The trainings provided comprehensive to the importance of excellence in
lessons in lower limb anatomy, animal welfare. He also continues
hoof health, and the use of specialized to offer his expertise and leadership
tools. Participants gained hands-on to the Association of Zoos and
experience trimming model feet, Aquariums (AZA). At AZA’s annual

Left: A giraffe hoof trim

26 BROOKFIELD ZOO CHICAGO