Officials at a Nebraska zoo are warning visitors not to throw coins into water after a hungry animal was found with a stomach full of coins.
During a regular health check, your veterinarian will: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium A foreign metal object was found in the stomach of one of the 10 American alligators.
Last week, Thibodeau, a 36-year-old leucistic alligator, was treated by a veterinarian who removed 70 U.S. coins from his body before any problems could occur.
Vitiligo is a condition that causes partial loss of pigmentation of any kind.
Wildlife officials say this is different from albinism because it does not affect the pigment cells in the eye.
Christina Ploeg, the zoo’s associate veterinarian, led the procedure.
“Thanks to our training, we were able to administer Mr. Thibodeau anesthesia, intubation, and safely manage him during the surgery,” she said.
“Plastic pipes were installed to protect his mouth and allow the tools used to access the coins, including the cameras that helped guide the recovery of these objects, to pass safely through. ”
Zoo officials said all coins were safely removed and confirmed by subsequent X-rays.
“Procedures like the one performed at Thibodaux are not necessarily common, but it speaks to what our animal care and animal health teams do every day across campus to provide excellent care to our animals. It’s a great example,” said zoo veterinarian Taylor Yeo. and the Director of Animal Health.
Doctors say Thibodeau has fully recovered from the surgery and has been returned to his habitat.
