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Above: Dr. Mike Adkesson, vice president of clinical medicine, interacting same species. This can help them predict
with two giraffes during a routine check-up. Above right: Mud wallows are what medical issues could potentially arise,
a comfortable place for pygmy hippos to rest. Above far right: Georgette and what they should keep an eye on.
Turkey Vulture participates in a training session.
“We’re always continuing to learn more
Prescription for Longer Life and more,” said Dr. Mike Adkesson, vice
president of clinical medicine. “This
If an age-related complication is discovered, either from animal is helping us to make diagnoses early,
care staff monitoring or from a routine examine, the veterinary before problems may become more
team has many options for providing an animal with more comfort. advanced, leading to better outcomes.”
Many treatments are similar to those that humans can receive.
Assisted Living
Several of our zoo animals—including Ben Orangutan—are
on heart medications, and some are on arthritis medications (since Getting older also comes with certain
2015, the Society has partnered with Walgreens, which provides lifestyle changes. Just like aging humans
the highest-quality pharmaceuticals for our animals). And a might make some adjustments to their
handful of our Humboldt penguins have had cataract removal diets, our animals eat a little differently
surgery, which has made a huge impact in their day-to-day lives. when they advance in age. Our nutrition
team provides older animals with meals
Zoos keep complete medical records of each of their animals, that have a higher percentage of fat, which
so staff is aware of every animal’s long-term history and how it helps them maintain their body composi-
may react to certain treatments or medications. And today, with tion (animals often lose weight as they age).
many zoo animals being born within institutions (those that aren’t They are also given their “favorite” foods
are typically rescued from life-threatening situations in the wild), more often to keep up their appetites, and
veterinarians can look at trends between different generations of the animals who have sensitive teeth are given
softer foods so it is easier for them to chew.
Animal care staff also make sure
animals are placed in habitats that are
suited to their individual needs. For
example, two of the habitats in Great
Bear Wilderness are flatter than the
third—during the wintertime, when the
18 GATEWAYS | GOLDEN YEARS
