Zoo vet sets record straight

It is time to present the actual facts about The Zoo - Northwest Florida's animals and operations. Much misinformation has been stated and suggested in the press, on the web, and at the water coolers at work.

To start out, the monthly rate (percentage of animals dying) at The Zoo has been right in line with any zoo in the nation, at about 3 to 3.5 percent. This is most remarkable when you realize that our numbers are elevated by all the sick and malnourished reptiles we rescued in Milton, the one hundred sick and malnourished cockatiels we accepted to give care and shelter from animal rescue, the scores of New York City animal control cases we have accepted, and finally, the geriatric animals we sometimes accept from larger zoos. Incidentally, most of these animals would have been euthanized if The Zoo did not give them a chance for a better life.

Nobody loves their animals more than the zoo keepers at The Zoo. Each keeper develops an attachment and relationship with the animals they take care of on a daily basis. They know what the individual animal's normal personality is, what and how much they eat and drink, and their likes and dislikes. This is true of everything from the rhino to the snakes. Even though The Zoo's animals are not pets, they are every bit as attached to those animals as you are to your beloved pet cat or dog. They make sure they get proper diets, necessary preventive vaccinations, routine health checks, and seek medical or husbandry assistance when anything is out of the ordinary. Why else but for animal love would these keepers work day in and day out in extremes of heat, and at a financially strapped zoo that can't afford salaries like Busch Gardens or Disney?

When these animals get sick or die, as with Niles the hippo or Sammy the giraffe, there is nobody more upset than the keepers. It hurts all the more when followed by allegations and innuendos of animal neglect.

The public does deserve an understanding of the animal medical care at The Zoo. Each and every animal at The Zoo has a medical record at The Zoo, just like you and your children have individual medical records at your doctor's office. These records indicate information about their diet, weight, abnormal behavior, illnesses, treatments, and preventative health care such as vaccinations and medications tailored to that animal's needs. It also makes record of annual periodic exams of the animals, including fecal exams and blood work. These animals, like all of God's creatures, sometimes get sick or injured and require medical attention. And yes, they do have a lifespan like all of us, and they will all eventually die. When life gets cut short with high profile animals, such as happened with the hippo and the giraffe, we as humans always take greater notice. This leads to my next point and back to the first. There have been many misstatements said and printed about the giraffe and the hippo deaths regarding health status and alleged neglect prior to death. Responsible citizens, as most of us are, usually reserve judgment until they have had time to review the facts. Not until August 10, almost a month after the giraffe's death, did we receive the final toxicology report.

The histopathology report stated that the giraffe died from acute "physiological shock associated with the terminal event. There was no evidence of any inflammatory process or infectious diseases." It did have "acute pulmonary edema and congestion, endomyocardial and epicardial hemorrhages, and mild cerebral hemorrhages." The entire report is on record at The Zoo and with the USDA, and all tests support the conclusion that this was a healthy animal prior to being chased to death in its exhibit by something or someone. "Something" being wild animals such as coyotes or bobcats that have been sighted in the area. There was absolutely no evidence of any malnourishment, disease or neglect prior to death, as has been suggested by some. To the contrary, the report specifically states that the giraffe did not have features of malnutrition.

Similarly, it was a terrible loss to have Niles the hippo attacked by his father two weeks prior to the giraffe. Hippo zoo keepers from other zoos, including Busch Gardens (from where they came), along with our staff's experience, told us we should be able to leave the family together until the baby was 4-5 years of age. The many texts on zoo and wildlife medicine all concur that a young hippo can stay with its parents until 4-5 years of age. So it was both a shock and an emotional blow to the zoo family when the baby was killed. Just as with the giraffe, this animal was in good health just prior to this episode of "domestic violence." And yes, the adult male did inflict some superficial wounds

not severe enough to warrant systemic medications) on the baby a month prior to this when she tried to eat daddy's food. But just because a parent reprimands his child for behavior, you don't expect him to kill the child.

The Zoo is a tremendous asset to our area. As an educational tool for our children it is invaluable. This Zoo may be the only place a child ever sees an Indian rhino or a Mustached Guenon or a hippo or giraffe. As an honorable and caring facility for wild and endangered animals, it is a shining example. As an economic asset to our community it is important. At present, this financially struggling organization needs the help and support of our region. The Zoo has nothing to hide, nothing to be ashamed of; it has always welcomed the USDA, Fish and Wildlife Commission, and peers to evaluate the animals and facilities at The Zoo. Citizens who care about our children, our animals, and their fellow residents have an opportunity to keep this valuable resource in our community by giving of financial and physical help.

It is also time to stand up and defend the good care and good people who are giving their life career to taking care of animals at our zoo.