DENVER ZOO ANNUAL REPORT 2011

DENVER ZOO ANNUAL REPORT 2011 People | Intro Message | Awards & Honors | Noteworthy Numbers | ThE Collection | EDUCATION PROGRAMS | Donors | FinancesSuccessful SurgeriesIn April 2011, Florida based veterinary ophthalmologist Dr.Carmen Colitz and her team performed cataract surgery onCalifornia sea lion Bismarck and harbor seal Maude. Dr. Colitz ishighly regarded as a leading specialist in marine mammaleye care.Harbor seal Maude had a detached lens that was causingdiscomfort and potentially damaging her eye. Her vision washighly impaired in both eyes, due the presence of a cataract inthe other eye, leading to her being uncertain of her surroundingsand skittish around her trainers. Lenses in both eyes needed tobe removed.Prior to being rescued by Pacific Marine Mammal Center,in Laguna Beach, CA, sea lion Bismarck suffered an injuryto his left eye that left scarring and decreased vision in theeye. When Bismarck came to Denver Zoo, staff explored itsavailable options, but since Bismarck appeared comfortable,no action was taken. However, in 2011, he also experienceda detached lens. While enucleation (removal of the eye) is acommon treatment in this situation, Dr. Colitz was confident shecould remove Bismarck’s lens allowing him to keep his eye and,possibly, regain some vision.Both surgeries were successfully performed at the zoo’shospital. Post-op care was extremely challenging as eachpatient was required to be out of the water for three weeks. Forthe first several days following surgery, keepers looked afterMaude and Bismarck around the clock as they were treated witha very complicated topical and oral medication regime.Since their surgeries, we have seen noticeable improvementin the comfort level of both animals. We saw a remarkablechange in Maude’s vision as she began chasing and catchinglive minnows and taking visual cues from her trainers. BecauseBismarck’s injury happened when he was very young, staff hasworked to retrain his eye muscles for normal eye movement.Back9Next