Staff at Jersey Zoo have shared the careful and highly coordinated steps involved in carrying out a routine health check on one of their more unusual residents.
Alex, a giant otter living at the zoo, has now reached 13 years of age, which places her in the later stage of life for her species. Because of that, the team at Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust decided it was time for a full medical assessment. That presented a challenge, since Alex is no small patient — she measures around 6 feet long and weighs about 20 kilograms.
To make the examination possible, zoo staff first had to train Alex to enter a specially built crate large enough to hold her comfortably. The idea was to ensure she would go inside willingly and stay calm throughout the process.
According to the trust, that preparation took time. Keepers focused on helping Alex become comfortable with the crate, while keeping the sliding door open during training sessions and only closing it on the actual day of the check. Because of her size, each session required two keepers, with one guiding from the front and the other operating the door.
Once Alex was safely inside the crate, staff used a low-pressure dart at close range to deliver an anaesthetic. She was then taken to the veterinary clinic for a complete medical and dental examination.
At the clinic, vets carried out a full assessment that included blood tests, X-rays, and a detailed look at her teeth. They also gave her teeth a professional clean to remove tartar buildup and used the opportunity to check her hind feet as well.
After the procedures were complete, the veterinary team administered medication to reverse the anaesthetic and returned Alex to her enclosure.
She remained sleepy for a few hours while the effects wore off, but soon recovered fully and was reportedly back to herself — complete with a well-deserved trout afterward.
