An alligator at Auckland Zoo recently had to undergo a veterinary examination after being seen swallowing a jandal in her habitat.
Dixie, an American alligator, continued eating normally afterwards, but the zoo’s veterinary team took action to ensure no lingering health concerns.
An endoscopy was performed under general anaesthesia by the zoo’s veterinary team, assisted by external specialist Dr Tomm Fluen.
Using a flexible camera scope, the team thoroughly examined Dixie’s stomach but found no trace of the jandal, just half digested meat and vegetation.
Head of veterinary services James Chatterton said this suggested the footwear had already been expelled.
“While the endoscopy was taking place, our team took the opportunity to check Dixie’s eyes and body condition, which are in great shape.”
Alligators often consume foreign objects because they are “sit and wait” hunters.
If something moves near them, they will often automatically snap and eat. This means that wild alligators can die from ingesting man-made objects.
Chatterton said it would be “amazing” if Dixie never came across a man-made object in her habitat.
“Hopefully, our visitors can help us with that preventative healthcare by going home with everything that they brought to the zoo.”
He said many people’s trip to the zoo was when they developed an interest in and care for animals.
“That’s the first step on providing a better future for wild animals everywhere.”