ZOONOOZ August 2015

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PHOTO BY SDZG After the bird’s checkup, it happily spreads its wings and returns to its flamboyant flock. PHOTO BY SDZG 6 and 11 pounds) and gets a West Nile virus vaccination. A blood sample is collected and a physical exam is conducted, which includes inspecting the bird’s beak, legs, toes, wings, feathers, eyes, and ears. The process is thorough, since the birds are only handled once a year. Zoo veterinarian Meg Sutherland- Smith, D.V.M., explained, “The information and experience gained by getting our hands on the flock once a year helps us manage any medical conditions that the birds may develop throughout the year.” Amelia Suarez holds the flamingo on the scale while Jessica Theule notes the weight. Team Roundup Flamingo Lagoon was designed with this health-care process in mind. Five keepers form a line, gently herding the birds toward the holding area. As the barricades approach, other bird species (ducks, geese, and crested screamers) that may have been included in the group dart out of the way past the keepers. The flamingos are corralled past cushioned barriers in the deep end of the lagoon, while one spotter is stationed on the bridge to observe the birds for signs of fatigue. If any are noted, that bird goes to the front of the line. A few birds at a time are funneled into a smaller area to be calmly caught by three catchers and then handed off to a handler, who holds the bird throughout the process of visiting each health station. Amy explained that the birds are held “like a football under the arm,” with the head and neck supported by the keeper’s other hand. The legs are folded underneath the bird. “They are pretty docile while we’re holding them,” she said, “but they can grab your hair or nose on occasion.” Once a bird is secured, it is taken to various stations on the lagoon shore. The bird’s leg band number is matched with its information card and its microchip is checked. Each bird is weighed (most weigh between Foot Map Journey Each bird’s information card includes a “foot map,” similar to a fingerprint for humans, so animal care staff can monitor each flamingo’s feet for any cracks or lesions that may develop. Flamingos are long-lived birds, with a possible lifespan of more than 50 years in zoos! Since they spend a great deal of time with their feet submerged in water, it’s important to monitor their webbing and toes and those famous long legs. Monitoring foot condition allows animal care staff to decide if any changes need to be made in the birds’ environment. Since there are usually between 6 and 12 young birds that hatched the previous year, they will need a follow-up booster vaccine 34 <strong>ZOONOOZ</strong> n AUGUST <strong>2015</strong>
PHOTO BY JOOP KUHN,SDZG It takes a village for the annual flamingo roundup! A few key players (left to right): Amy Flanagan, Athena Wilson, Mike Grue, and Anne Clayton. in a few weeks. They are gathered up and taken to the African Marsh Pond located at the bottom of Hippo Trail, which avoids causing stress for the rest of the flock when booster shot day comes. Amy explained that cart drivers with carriers are ready to safely move these birds. Each bird is carefully and efficiently handled. After the health checks, the flamingos are released back into their lagoon, where they shake it off and get back to the leggy business of being a flamboyant flamingo. “This year we were able to process 78 flamingos in just over 3 hours,” said Amy with pride. “Each year we refine the process and get better and more efficient. The annual flamingo roundup is truly the biggest collaborative avian health care project at the Zoo!” That’s a bright feather in the Zoo’s cap. n Special care is paid to flamingo feet, and each bird has a “foot map,” similar to a fingerprint, that is used to monitor changes over time. SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL n SANDIEGOZOO.ORG 35
Page 2 and 3: inside august 2015 Mammal of Myster
Page 4 and 5: chairman’s note SAN DIEGO ZOO GLO
Page 6 and 7: through the lens Photo by Ken Bohn
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Page 33: A vaccination is administered by Br
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ZOONOOZ August 2015

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