Elephant Tusk Removal Uses Specialized Tools
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- Created on Thursday, 21 February 2013 21:19
- Written by IVN
Escondido, California - An infected tusk was removed from a male elephant calf at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park this morning. The dental surgery, required due to an infection in the pulp of the tooth, needed specialized equipment and a team of more than 20 people.
The procedure, the first of its kind undertaken at the Park, went well and the 2½-year-old elephant, named Emanti, rejoined his herd in the afternoon.
"We created some specialized tools in preparation for this particular extraction," said James Oosterhuis, DVM, principal veterinarian for the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, "and we were able to remove the tusk in one piece."
Dental check-ups are a regular part of elephant care at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Keepers also regularly care for the elephants' feet, ears and trunks.
The San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy is dedicated to bringing endangered species back from the brink of extinction. The Conservancy makes possible the wildlife conservation efforts (representing both plants and animals) of the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, and international field programs in more than 35 countries. The important conservation and science work of these entities is supported in part by The Foundation of the Zoological Society of San Diego.