Irene, an Asian elephant at Albuquerque BioPark Zoo, US, has had her left eye surgically removed and is now recovering and learning to cope with reduced vision.
The zoo’s veterinary staff had known for years that Irene suffered from age-related lens luxation, causing her discomfort and blurry vision. Initially, the veterinary ophthalmologist had hoped to manipulate the eye to reposition the lens, but once Irene was sedated, the team discovered she also had an infected corneal ulcer, which was complicated by her increased intraocular pressure. Removal of the eye became the best option, Dr Carol Bradford, the BioPark’s senior veterinarian told the Albuquerque Journal, adding the good news is Irene will no longer be in discomfort.
At 55, Irene is considered geriatric, so her biggest surgical risk is the anaesthesia, said Dr Bradford. Carrying out the procedure safely required around 40 people, including veterinary anaesthesiologists, a veterinary ophthalmologist, technicians, zoo support staff and Albuquerque Fire Rescue personnel, who used special equipment to move the sedated 3,400kg pachyderm.
