Two of Jersey Zoo’s giant tortoises – which weigh more than 150kg each – travelled more than 200 miles last week for specialist scans in a machine usually reserved for horses.
Aldabra giant tortoises Biggy, who is believed to be more than 80 years old, and 27-year-old Mike travelled by ferry and van last week to Hertfordshire.
The Royal Veterinary College is one of just two places in the UK with a CT scanner large enough to accommodate animals of their size.
Mike underwent a CT scan to investigate a front leg lameness that had proved difficult to diagnose, whilst Biggy had a CT scan as part of investigations into a lump near the base of his tail.
The scans, carried out last week, followed months of planning between the Zoo and specialists at the Royal Veterinary College.
Both tortoises were anaesthetised before undergoing imaging using equipment more commonly used for horses.
Dr Jo Hedley, who is head of the Royal Veterinary College’s exotics service, described a “great team effort” involving colleagues from both the qquine and anaesthesia services.
“The tortoises definitely won some fans while they were here with us!” she added.
The scans confirmed that Mike has osteoarthritis in his right shoulder, allowing Jersey Zoo’s veterinary team to put in place a targeted treatment and long-term management plan.
Specialists are continuing to analyse Biggy’s more complex scan.
Jersey Zoo senior veterinary officer Violaine Colon said: “When an animal needs specialist care, we’ll do everything we can to make it happen.
“Getting Mike and Biggy to the Royal Veterinary College was a significant undertaking, but it has given us invaluable information about their health.”
Although the scans were carried out to improve the welfare of two individual tortoises, the knowledge gained will also help build understanding of the species’ health and contribute to veterinary care and husbandry for Aldabra giant tortoises across European zoos.
