Cycle of Health
Animal Health
Season 13 Episode 4 | 26m 45sVideo has Closed Captions
Folks from the zoo stop by to talk about caring for their unique collection of animals.
On this episode of Cycle of Health, Animal Health. Folks from the Rosamond Gifford Zoo stop by to talk about caring for their unique collection of animals. We meet Mortoise the Radiated Tortoise and Eagon the Eurasian Eagle-Owl. Plus, get an early look at the zoo's new, state-of-the-art animal hospital.
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Cycle of Health is a local public television program presented by WCNY
Cycle of Health
Animal Health
Season 13 Episode 4 | 26m 45sVideo has Closed Captions
On this episode of Cycle of Health, Animal Health. Folks from the Rosamond Gifford Zoo stop by to talk about caring for their unique collection of animals. We meet Mortoise the Radiated Tortoise and Eagon the Eurasian Eagle-Owl. Plus, get an early look at the zoo's new, state-of-the-art animal hospital.
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Checkup From the Neck-Up
Dr. Rich O'Neill hosts Checkup From the Neck-Up, a monthly podcast about mental and physical health.Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipON THIS EPISODE OF CYCLE OF HEALTH, ANIMAL HEALTH.
FOLKS FROM THE ROSAMOND GIFFORD ZOO STOP BY TO TALK ABOUT CARING FOR THEIR UNIQUE COLLECTION OF ANIMALS.
WE MEET MORTOISE THE RADIATED TORTOISE AND EAGON THE EURASIAN EAGLE-OWL.
AND GET AN EARLY LOOK AT THE ZOO'S NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART ANIMAL HOSPITAL.
WE HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US FOR THE CONVERSATION, COMING UP ON CYCLE OF HEALTH.
♪ ♪ HELLO AND WELCOME TO CYCLE OF HEALTH, I'M DR. HEALTH, I'M DR. RICH O'NEILL.
ON TONIGHT'S SHOW, WE'RE SHIFTING OUR FOCUS TO ANIMAL HEALTH.
NOW I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT OUR FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS AT HOME, I'M TALKING ABOUT THE UNIQUE COLLECTION OF ANIMALS THAT LIVE JUST UP THE ROAD FROM OUR WCNY AT THE ROSAMOND GIFFORD ZOO.
WITH EXHIBITS FROM MADAGASCAR HISSING COCKROACHES ALL THE WAY UP TO ASIAN ELEPHANTS, WE WANT TO LEARN HOW THE STAFF CARES FOR SUCH AN ECLECTIC GROUP OF ANIMALS.
WE HAVE A GREAT SHOW IN STORE TONIGHT AND I'M TOLD THERE MAY EVEN BE SOME SURPRISES ALONG THE WAY.
I WANT TO WELCOME OUR GUESTS: TED FOX, DIRECTOR OF THE ROSAMOND GIFFORD ZOO ASHLEY SHEPPARD, A COLLECTION MANAGER AND ASIAN ELEPHANT KEEPER AT THE ROSAMOND GIFFORD ZOO DR. BECKY EDDY, A ZOOLOGICAL VETERINARIAN AT THE ZOO AND LUCAS WHITMAN, A BIRDKEEPER AT ZOO, AND HE'S SITTING WITH EAGON THE EURASIAN EAGLE-OWL, OUR FIRST SURPRISE FOR TONIGHT.
THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE, EVERYBODY.
AND TED, TELL ME HOW IMPORTANT IS THE ZOO TO THE CITY OF SYRACUSE AND CENTRAL NEW YORK?
>> LIKE ZOOS AROUND THE WHOLE COUNTRY, COMMUNITIES AROUND THE WHOLE COUNTRY, ZOOS HAVE BECOME-- ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS-- HAVE BECOME SUCH IMPORTANT CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS FOR EVERY COMMUNITY.
THEY'RE ONE OF THE FEW PLACES NOW THE COMMUNITY CAN ACTUALLY ENGAGE WITH NATURE AND LEARN ABOUT THEM.
LIKE LUCAS AND EAGON.
WE LOVE TO HAVE THAT CONNECTION AND HAVE PEOPLE ASK QUESTIONS AND LEARN ABOUT THE ANIMALS AND BECOMING BETTER LAND STEWARDS FOR THE PROPERTIES WE ALL MANAGE.
>> TERRIFIC.
THAT SOUNDS GREAT.
AND ASHLEY, SPEAKING OF THE ANIMALS, TELL US ABOUT THE WIDE RANGE OF ANIMALS AND HOW YOU GO ABOUT PROVIDING CARE FOR SUCH A WIDE RANGE OF CRITTERS.
>> SO, AS YOU COVERED, WE HAVE CRITTERS ALL THE WAY FROM INVERTEBRATES ALL THE WAY TO ELEPHANTS AND SOME OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS WE HAVE TO WATCH OUT FOR IS THE QUALITY OF THEIR ENVIRONMENT.
SO WE WANT TO REPLICATE THEIR WILD SETTINGS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE GETTING ALL THE THINGS THAT THEY NEED BOTH PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY.
AND ONE OF THE GREAT WAYS THAT WE CAN DO THAT IS THROUGH TRAINING, ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS, WHICH MEANS WE ARE PROVIDING THEM WITH DIFFERENT THINGS TO BRING OUT NATURAL BEHAVIORS AS WELL AS PUBLIC INTERACTIONS THAT WILL HELP ENRICH THE ANIMALS, TOO.
SOME SPECIES THRIVE ON INTERACTING WITH THEIR KEEPERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THAT'S AN IMPORTANT WAY TO DO IT AS WELL AND WE CAN MIX SPECIES EXHIBITS.
PEOPLE DON'T THINK ABOUT THAT BUT IN THE WILD, THE ANIMALS WOULD BE INTERACTING AND INTERMIXING WITH EACH OTHER ALL THE TIME.
AT A ZOO THAT DOESN'T ALWAYS HAPPEN BUT WE CAN PROVIDE THEM WITH ENRICHING MOMENTS IF THEY'RE INTERACCOUNTING WITH SPECIES THAT ARE NOT THEIR OWN.
>> THAT LEADS YOU TO THE BIG PICTURE THAT LEADS ME TO ASKING WHAT I WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT WHEN WE TALKED BEFORE, ONE HEALTH.
TELL ME ABOUT ONE HEALTH.
>> CERTAINLY.
ONE HEALTH IS A CONCEPT THAT WHEN YOU FOCUS ON, IN OUR WORLD, THE CONSERVATION OF A SPECIES OF ANIMALS; FOR EXAMPLE, IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT PUTTING A LOT OF MONEY IN CONSERVATION EFFORTS AND RESOURCES INTO SAVING THAT ONE ANIMAL.
IT HAS TO INCLUDE THE ECOLOGY OF WHERE THAT ANIMAL COMES FROM, FROM THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE THERE, FROM THE GEOLOGY THAT'S THERE.
FROM THE WATER RESOURCES THAT ARE THERE.
EVERYTHING COMES INTO IT.
AND THEN ULTIMATELY THE HEALTH AND CARE, LIKE OUR VETERANS, THAT HAVE TO BE INVOLVED WITH THE WHOLE PICTURE TO MAKE ONE HEALTH NOT JUST FOR THAT SPECIES OR INDIVIDUAL BUT THE ENTIRE ECOSYSTEM THAT THEY COME FROM.
>> SPEAKING OF OUR VETERINARIANS, WE HAPPEN TO HAVE ONE IN OUR COLLECTION OF PEOPLE HERE TONIGHT.
Dr. BECKY EDDY, TELL US ABOUT THE CARE YOU PROVIDE AND THE CURRENT CLINIC YOU HAVE FOR CARING FOR ANIMALS THERE, DOCTOR.
>> OUR CURRENT CLINIC IS 1500 SQUARE FEET.
RIGHT NOW IT INCLUDES ONE TREATMENT AREA, WITH RADIOLOGY, X-RAY EQUIPMENT.
WE HAVE A SURGERY ROOM AND A LAB AND SOME SMALLER HOLDINGS FOR ANIMALS THAT NEED TO BE HOUSED THERE.
SO RIGHT NOW WE'LL BRING IN ANIMALS TO THE CLINIC THAT NEED TO BE SEEN AND THAT CAN BE ANYTHING FROM, YOU KNOW, A LITTLE CUT THEIR SKIN OR A PREVENTIVE HEALTH EXAM.
SO THAT WOULD JUST BE LIKE A CHECKUP THAT YOU OR I MIGHT GO AND GET AT A DOCTOR'S OFFICE FOR ROUTINE CARE JUST TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING LOOKS GOOD AND THAT YOU ARE HEALTHY.
SO TO DO THAT, DEPENDS AGAIN ON THE SPECIES.
ANYWHERE FROM JUST WALKING IN SAY EAGON INTO THE CLIN ELK TO TAKE A LOOK AT HIM OR WITH A LARGER ANIMAL, A BIG CAT OR TIGER-- >> MY FAVORITES.
>> WE'LL BRING THEM IN AFTER WE GIVE THEM SOME MEDICATIONS THAT MAKE IT SAFE FOR US TO WORK WITH THEM SO THAT THEY'RE ASLEEP.
AND THEN THEY'LL COME OVER TO THE CLINIC AND WE CAN EXAMINE THEM THERE.
>> PRETTY EXCITING.
SO I UNDERSTAND AS A NEW CLINIC BEING DEVELOPED AT THE ZOO AND WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT RIGHT NOW.
THEY'RE CALLING IT THE MOST CRITICALLY IMPORTANT PROJECT UNDERTAKEN AT THE ZOO IN OVER A DECADE.
IT'S A NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART ANIMAL HOSPITAL, NOT ONLY IS IT 10 TIMES THE SIZE OF THE CLINIC THERE YOU NO, BUT IT FEATURES ALL THE LATEST MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES.
BETTER EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR VISITORS AND SO MUCH MORE.
LET'S TAKE A LOOK.
>> SO RIGHT NOW WE ARE STANDING IN OUR BRAND NEW ANIMAL HEALTH CENTER.
WE ARE SO EXCITED FOR THIS BUILDING TO OPEN.
IT'S GOING TO BE A HUGE IMPROVEMENT FOR US HERE AT THE ZOO.
IT HAS SO MANY FEATURES THAT ARE REALLY IMPORTANT TO THE CARE AND WELFARE OF THE ANIMALS WE HAVE HERE.
>> SO THIS FACILITY HAS BEEN PROBABLY A 15 PLUS YEAR PLAN THAT WE KNEW WE HAD TO DO IN ORDER TO KEEP OUR ACCREDITATION WITH ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS.
WE HAVE A GREAT COLLECTION, GREAT FACILITY, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT PHILANTHROPIC CONNECTION TO THE COMMUNITY.
ALL THOSE THINGS WERE IN LINE BUT THE ONE THING THAT WAS I LITTLE LOW KEY WAS OUR CURRENT VETERINARY HOSPITAL.
>> WE HAD OUTGROWN THE PREVIOUS SPACE AS THE INSTITUTION HAS GROWN LARGER AND OUR COLLECTION HAS GROWN LARGER.
WE THEREFORE NEEDED A MUCH LARGER AND BETTER FACILITY.
>> THEN WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT WE FEED TO GET THIS DONE.
WE NEED TO GET SERIOUS ABOUT DESIGNING AN AN ANIMAL HOSPITAL THAT FITS IN WITH THE REST OF THE ZOO.
PLANNING STARTED A FEW YEARS AGO AND WE ARE REALLY EXCITED THIS HAS GONE ACCORDING TO PLAN AND ACTUALLY WE HAVE A LOT OF BELLS AND WHISTLES THAT WE DIDN'T INITIALLY INTEND TO HAVING BUT THE FACILITY IS AMAZING AND WE ARE JUST LOOKING SO FORWARD TO OPENING THAT.
>> THE NEW FEATURES, ONE OF THE ONES IS A VERY INTERACTIVE VETERINARY CLINIC.
WE ARE STANDING WERE YOU AT THE TREATMENT AREA.
YOU CAN VIEW THE TREATMENT AREAS.
YOU CAN SEE WAS WE DO BEHIND THE SCENES WITH ANIMALS WITH THEIR PHYSICALS OR IF THERE IS A VETERINARY PROCEDURE GOING ON OR MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR AN ANIMAL.
THE PUBLIC WILL GET TO SEE THOSE AND INTERACT WITH US AND THE STAFF.
WE WILL BE MICKED UP SO WE CAN TALK FROM BEHIND THE THE GLASS AND EXPLAIN TO THE PUBLIC WHAT IS GOING ON.
THERE WILL BE V.T.U., SO WHATEVER I'M SEEING AND THE VETERINARIAN IS SEEING YOU WILL SEE.
TOO.
>> EVEN THOUGH WE CHECK THE ANIMAL'S HEALTH AND RECORD BEFORE IT GETS HERE, IT HAS TO GO THROUGH AT LEAST A 30-DAY QUARANTINE PERIOD BEFORE THEY CAN ENTER OUR POPULATION IN THE ZOO.
THE WORST CASE SCENARIO, I BRING IN A DISEASE THAT THEY WOULD BIFF TO THE ANIMALS THAT LIVE AT THE ZOO.
THE OLD QUARANTINE SPACE WAS THREE SMALL ROOMS THAT WERE CONNECTED TO THE CLINIC WITH ONLY A THRESHOLD ON THE FLOOR THAT SEPARATED THE TWO.
WHICH, FROM A BIOLOGICAL STANDPOINT, BIOSECURITY STANDPOINT WASN'T REALLY GOOD ENOUGH.
THIS FACILITY, WE HAVE FOUR DIFFERENT SUITES FOR THE ANIMALS COMING IN FROM AQUATIC SPECIES THAT THERE WILL BE A THREE FOOT DEEP POOL, A UNIT FOR BIRDS WITH SMALLER PERCHING.
ONE FOR CANNES VORS AND PRIMATES AND A FOURTH ONE FOR LARGER PRIMATES.
GREAT APES AND UPWARDS OF THAT.
WE HAVE THE CAPABILITY OF BRINGING ANY ANIMAL WE WANTED TO INTO THE COLLECTION.
>> USUAL IT STARTS WITH THE ZOOKEEPERS THEMSELVES.
THEY SEE THEM ON A DAILY BASIS AND WHEN I SAY DAILY BASIS, PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT EVEN THOUGH WHEN THE ZOO IS CLOSED, WE ARE STILL WORKING WE ARE HERE 365 DAYS A YEAR.
WHEN THEY NOTICE SOMETHING OFF THEY REPORT IT TO THE COLLECTION MANAGER WHO WILL GO ASSESS THE ANIMAL.
>> THE KEEPERS HERE IN THE AND THE COLLECTION MANAGERS ARE VERY CLOSE WITH OUR ANIMALS AND WE WATCH EVERY MOVE THAT THEY MAKE AND EVERY BEHAVIOR AND EVEN IF ONE LITTLE THING IS OFF, THAT IS OUR FIRST OFFENSE AS TO WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR TO MAKE SURE OUR ANIMALS ARE DOING EVERYTHING THEY WOULD NORMALLY DO BECAUSE THEY'RE IN THE GOING WALK UP TO US AND TELL US, HEY, I DON'T FEEL GREAT TODAY.
>> WE ARE PART OF A MUCH BIGGER PICTURE HERE THAT PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE.
IF I WAS TO SAY TO YOU, YOU DESCRIBE A ZOOLOGICAL INSTITUTION TO ME, PEOPLE ARE GOING SAY IT'S ANIMALS IN ENCLOSURES.
THAT'S NOT THE CASE.
>> A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THE MISCONCEPTION THAT A ZOO IS A PLACE TO GO AND LOOK AT THE ANIMALS.
AND DON'T REALIZE ALL THE HARD WORK THAT THE STAFF PUT IN TO MAINTAINING THESE SPECIES HEALTH.
MAKING SURE THEY'RE PROVIDED A PROPER DIET, PROPER HEALTHCARE.
EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO LIVE A LONG AND HEALTHY LIFE AND SO THIS ANIMAL HEALTH CENTER WILL ALLOW US TO SHOWCASE A HUGE PART OF THE CARE AND TIME AND ENERGY THAT WE PUT INTO MAKING SURE THESE ANIMALS HAVE THE BEST LIFE POSSIBLE.
>> WHAT HAPPENS BEHIND THE SCENES, YOU KNOW, THAT'S A LOT OF TIMES 90% OF WAS WE DO IN A DAY IS ALL BEHIND THE SCENES THAT WE ARE TRYING TO BRING THAT FORWARD TO HELP BRING-- TO HELP PEOPLE UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS.
>> ANIMAL POPULATIONS ARE IN DECLINE ALL OVER THE WORLD.
IT'S OUR JOB TO PRESERVE AND SAVE THE SPECIES AND THAT'S WHY ACCREDITED FACILITIES ACROSS THE WORLD ARE DESPERATELY NEEDED FOR THIS.
>> WE ARE HOPING TO OPEN STIMULATER THIS YEAR.
IT MIGHT BE-- IT'S REALLY HARD TO TELL BECAUSE WE ARE WAITING AND WE ARE KIND OF-- WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF CHOICE IN WAITING FOR THOSE FINAL PIECES OF EQUIPMENT.
AS SOON AS WE ARE, WE'LL OPEN IT TO THE PUBLIC AND IT WILL BE AN EXCITING DAY.
COUNTY EXECUTIVES REALLY EXCITED ABOUT COMING AND DO A RIBBON CUTTING LIKE WE DO AT OTHER AREAS OF THE ZOO AND IT WILL BE A REMARKABLE DAY.
>> HERE WE CUP.
I TOLD YOU WE WERE GOING TO HAVE A SURPRISE.
HERE IS ONE OF OUR FANTASTIC SURPRISES.
LOOK AT THIS GUY.
WHAT IS THIS GUY'S NAME?
>> THIS IS MORTOISE.
>> AND HE IS A RADIATED TORTOISE.
>> THAT'S A GREAT NAME FOR A ROCK BAND.
MORTOISE AND THE RADIATING TORT US TORTOISE.
>> THEY'RE ORIGINALLY FROM MADAGASCAR.
THE THINGS THEY FACE AS ISSUES IS WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING AND THE PET TRADE IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT SOME OF THE THINGS-- AND THEY ONLY EXIST IN MADAGASCAR WHICH IS WHY THEY'RE SO CRITICALLY ENDANGERED.
>> I CAN SEE WHERE PEOPLE WOULD LIKE THEM BECAUSE HE IS ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS.
>> HE IS PRETTY AMAZING, YEAH AND TORTOISES TYPICALLY GET CONFUSED WITH TURTLES.
TORTOISES ARE MUCH MORE TERRESTRIAL SPECIES.
TURTLE IS MORE AQUATIC.
THESE BUYS DO, YOU KNOW, SOAK IN THE WATER AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
>> HE WANTS TO GO EXPLORE THE TERRAIN.
>> HE WANTS TO CRUISE.
>> NO FEAR.
WHICH WHAT IS HE DOES IN HIS MIXED SPECIES EXHIBIT IN THE ZOO SO MORTOISE LIVES IN ONE OF OUR UNIQUE EXHIBITS IN THE ZOO.
HE LIVES IN THE DIVERSITY OF BIRDS.
HE SHARES HIS SPACE WITH MANY, MANY BIRD SPECIES.
>> IS THEY DON'T OBJECT.
>> HE DOESN'T EAT BIRD?
>> HE HAS SOME REALLY FUNNY PALS THAT HANG OUT WITH HIM ON HIS HEAT SPOTS.
HE IS TYPICALLY AN HERBIVORE.
EATING FRUITS, VEGGIES AND PLANTS.
HE HAS TWO BUDDIES, SOME OF OUR BLEEDING HEART DOGS THAT ACTUALLY HANG OUT ON HIS HEAT PAD WITH HIM.
>> HE'S GOT A HEAT PAD AND THEY SIT THERE WITH HIM.
>> I KNOW, YOU WANT TO GO.
>> DO YOU MIND IF I TOUCH HIM?
>> BY ALL MEANS.
LOOK AT THAT.
HE IS KIND OF WARM, ISN'T HE?
HELLO MORTOISE.
>> HE WOULD LOVE TO EXPLORE THIS SPACE.
HE IS A VERY CHARISMATIC SPECIES AND PEOPLE REALLY ENJOY SEEING HIM.
HE IS 33 YEARS OLD.
THESE GUYS ARE LONG LIVING.
>> HOW LONG DO THEY LIVE?
>> TYPICALLY THEY CAN GET UP PRETTY CLOSE TO THEIRATION, CORRECT?
>> HOLY-- TO THEIR 80s.
THEY'RE A LONG LIVED SPECIES AND HE DOES REALLY, REALLY GREAT BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S REALLY GREAT IS THAT HE IS TACTILE SO WE ARE ABLE TO GIVE HIM A LOT OF GREAT HEALTHCARE AT THE ZOO.
>> WHAT KIND OF ILLNESSES DO MORTOISES GET?
>> EVERYTHING IS TYPICAL TO WHAT YOU WOULD EXPECT WITH AN AGING ANIMAL.
THEY CAN GET THINGS LIKE ARTHRITIS.
>> I GOT SOME OF THAT.
>> EXACTLY.
SO WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE HIM WITH THINGS LIKE LASER THERAPY AND THINGS TO REALLY HELP HIM, YOU KNOW, KEEP THAT AT BAY.
>> THE NEW CLINIC MIGHT HELP WITH THAT I ASSUME.
>> YEAH, OF COURSE.
EVERYTHING REALLY HELPS US TO KEEP HIM AS HEALTHY AS POSSIBLE.
BUT OVERALL IT'S MAJORITY PREVENTATIVE CARE.
HE IS NOT NEEDING A LOT OF THE ISSUES HE WOULD NEED IN THE WILD SORRY WE ARE ABLE TO KEEP HIM PRETTY HEALTHY AND THAT'S OUR GOAL OVER TIME TO MEET AN ISSUE AS IT COMES.
>> HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN TORTOISE IS UNDER THE WEATHER.
HOW DO YOU KNOW?
>> HEY, BUDDY, YOU WANT THESE?
HERE, LOOK.
SO THE FIRST THINGS THAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR ARE LACK OF APPETITE, RIGHT?
BUT ALSO LACK OF ACTIVITY.
SO IF HE IS UNDER THE WEATHER AND NOT WANTING TO MOVE AROUND, NOT WANTING TO DO HIS NORMAL THINGS, THAT'S THE FIRST THING WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT.
>> SOUND LIKE YOU AND ME.
>> EXACTLY.
>> DON'T WANT TO GET OUT OF BED IN THE MORNING.
WANT TO LAY ON YOUR HEATING PAD AND THAT TELLS YOU-- ANYTHING ELSE?
ANY OTHER SIGNS HE WOULD BE UNDER THE WEATHER?
>> UNDER THE WEATHER, SOMETIMES YOU CAN NOTICE SOME SWELLING ON THESE GUYS.
YOU ARE LOOKING AT THEIR SHELL CONDITION.
THERE IS A LOT OF OTHER THINGS, BUT MORE OF THOSE BEHAVIORAL THINGS ARE THE FIRST SIGNS WE ARE GOING TO LOOK FOR TO SEE IF HE IS REALLY NOT FEELING WELL.
>> YOU SAID HE IS ENGAGERRED HOW MANY OF THESE ARE LEFT IN THE WILD?
>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE NUMBER ESTIMATION IS.
DO YOU?
>> I DON'T KNOW NOW.
IT'S SIGNIFICANTLY LESS P IT HAS BEEN.
I THINK IT'S AROUND A THOUSAND ANIMALS IN THE WILD.
>> WOW.
>> AND ANOTHER REALLY NEAT THING ABOUT MORTOISE, PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THE STORIES WE LOVE TO TELL IS HOW CONNECTED ALL OF THE ACCREDITED ZOOS-- $240 IN THE UNITED STATES-- MORTOISE ACTUALLY BELONGS TO THE BRONX ZOO.
HE IS HERE AT THE SYRACUSE ZOO ON LOAN.
THEY HELP US TELL A STORY IN ANOTHER ZOO AND WE TRADE ANIMALS AND LOAN THEM OUT TO EACH OTHER THROUGH OTHER ACCREDITED INSTITUTIONS.
>> LET'S TAKE A MOMENT.
SAY GOODBYE TO MORTOISE THE TORTOISE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING.
WE ARE GOING TO VISIT YOUR NEIGHBOR HERE, OUR FRIEND EAGON, THE EURASIAN OWL, IS THAT RIGHT?
>> YES, SIR.
>> TELL US ABOUT EAGON.
>> HE IS FIVE YEARS OLD.
AS HIS NAME SUGGEST, THE YOUR RAIN EAGLE.
THEY'RE FOUND IN ALL SORTS OF HABITATS.
THEIR STATUS IS DOING PRETTY WELL IN THE WILD BUT AT THE ZOO HE HELPS US TELL THE STORY FOR OTHER RAPTORS THAT, YOU KNOW, AS GREAT A STATUS AS THE EURASIAN EAGLE OWL IS, PEOPLE THINK HE IS A GREAT HORNED OWL WHICH IS OUR NATIVE OWL THAT LOOKS SIMILAR TO THIS.
EAGON IS BIGGER THAN A GREAT HORNED OWL AND THE SPECIES CAN GET EVEN BIGGER THAN THAT.
THE FEMALE IS THE LARGEST OWL IN THE WORLD.
>> HOW LONG?
>> EAGON WEIGHS ABOUT FOUR POUNDS.
>> NO, I WAS GOING TO GUESS 15.
LOOK AT THE SIZE OF HIM.
>> THE FEMALES CAN BE UP TO 10 POUNDS.
IT'S SURPRISING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.
BIRDS EVOLVED TO FLY HAVE A LOT OF ADAPTATION IS TO HELP KEEP THEM LIGHT.
ONE OF THE MOST OBVIOUS IS THE FEATHERS WHICH IS A LOT LIGHTER THAN FUR.
>> HE IS DOING THAT AMAZING THINGS THAT OWLS DO, TURNING HIS HEAD ALMOST ALL THE WAY AROUND.
LOOKING OVER HIS BACK.
>> THAT'S AN ADAPTATION THAT HELPS THEM NOT GIVE UP THEIR SPOT IN THE TREE.
3 YOU CAN SEE HE IS VERY CAMOUFLAGED AND DOESN'T NEED TO GET UP AND TURN HIS WHOLE BODY AROUND TO.
THEY CAN'T MOVE THEIR EYES IN THEIR EYE SOCKETS SO EVERYTHING HE LOOKS AT, HE IS GOING TO MOVE HIS WHOLE HEAD TO DO IT.
THAT HELPS HIM MAKE UP FOR THAT SO HE CAN TURN HIS HEAD AROUND 270°.
THREE QUARTERS OF A CIRCLE.
>> IF I COULD DO THAT ON MY BICYCLE, IT WOULD BE REALLY HELPFUL.
>> IT'S A GREAT ADAPTATION.
IT'S MADE POSSIBLE BECAUSE THEY HAVE MORE BONES IN THEIR NECK THAN WE DO.
THEY HAVE 14 VERTEBRAE OPPOSED TO OUR SEVEN.
>> TELL US ABOUT, LIKE SAME QUESTION ABOUT MORTOISE.
HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN EAGON IS NOT DOING SO WELL, WHEN HE IS GETTING A LITTLE SICK?
>> AS ASHLEY SAID, AS THE KEEPERS, WE ARE ON THE FRONT LINES TAKING CARE OF THEM AND WE HAVE ESTABLISHED WHAT IS A NORMAL BEHAVIOR FOR THEM SO IF SOMETHING IS OFF WITH EAGON, I SEE HIS POSTURE SITTING ON HIS PERCH, I CAN TELL YOU THAT SOMETHING IS OFF WITH HIM AND WHAT IS GREAT ABOUT HAVING OUR VETERINARIAN STAFF RIGHT THERE AT THE ZOO IS WE CAN GET RIGHT ON TOP OF THAT PROBLEM RIGHT AWAY, HAVE A QUICK PHYSICAL EXAM.
USUALLY WOULD START WITH JUST A VISUAL EXAM AND THE IF WE FEEL LIKE WE NEED TO GET HIM IN HAND, WE CAN DO THAT AND GIVE HIM A GOOD ONCE OVER.
>> Dr. BECKY ED DDY.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE COMMON ILLNESSES THAT DEVELOP IN BIRD?
WHAT ARE THE KIND OF THINGS THAT YOU WOULD HAVE TO TREAT, PERHAPS, EAGON?
>> YEAH, SO WE ARE FORTUNATE IN THAT WE HAVE FOLKS THAT ARE TAKING CARE OF THESE ANIMALS EVERY SINGLE DAY.
THEY KNOW THESE ANIMALS SO WELL.
SO OUR GOAL IS TO MINIMIZE THE THINGS THAT THEY CAN TREAT.
WE FOCUS PREVENTATIVE HEALTH AND ROUTINE MONITORING.
AND AS LUCAS SAID, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THE VETERINARIANS RELY HEAVILY ON, THE KEEPERS, COLLECTION AND ANIMAL CARE STAFF FOR, TO NOTIFY US WHEN THEY SEE LITTLE THINGS OFF BECAUSE I'LL SEE THE ANIMALS, YOU KNOW, PERIODICALLY, BUT THEY'RE WITH THEM EVERY SINGLE DAY SO THEY PICK UP ALL THESE LITTLE MINUTE CHANGES IN THEIR BEHAVIORS, AND THAT CAN HELP US KNOW WHEN TO LOOK AT THEM.
>> SO SAY PREVENTIVE HEALTH...
IT'S NOT LIKE ME ON MY TREAD MILL OR BICYCLE.
YOU DON'T HAVE LITTLE TREAD MILLS-- YOU MIGHT FOR MORTOISE.
BUT WHAT DO YOU TO PREVENTIVELY FOR A GUY LIKE THIS?
>> AN ANNUAL EXAM.
WE'LL LISTEN TO THEIR HEART WITH A STETHOSCOPE, LISTEN TO THEIR HEARTS AND LUNGS.
WE DO ROUTINE BLOOD WORK AS WELL TO MONITOR BECAUSE THEY HIDE THEIR ILLNESS SO WELL COMPARED TO PEOPLE, POTENTIALLY,-- >> LET ME STOP YOU FOR A SECOND.
YOU MENTIONED THAT BEFORE.
THEY HIDE THEIR ILLNESS.
HOW COME?
>> SO IN THE WILD, IT'S AN ADAPTATION TO HELP THEM STAY SAFE.
SO THAT THEY'RE NOT PICKED OUT BY A POTENTIAL PREDATOR.
>> WEAK.
>> THEY DON'T WANT TO APPEAR WEAK.
THAT WAY WE CAN LOOK AT THEIR BLOOD WORK AND MAKE SURE ALL THEIR ORGANIZE ORGANS ARE FUNCTIONING WELL AND NO INFECTIONS OR INFLAMMATORY PROCESSES.
WE ALSO GIVE THEM VACCINATIONS SO ALL OF OUR BIRDS OF PREY AND A FEW OTHER SPECIES, PENGUINS, CRANES, BIRDS LIKE THAT ALSO GET WEST NILE VACCINE.
THAT'S PARTS OF THE PREVENTATIVE HEALTH AS WELL.
LIKE YOU OR I WERE GETTING A VACCINATION, MOST OF OUR ANIMALS GET A VACCINE THAT'S APPROPRIATE FOR THE SPECIES.
>> WOW.
THAT'S FABULOUS.
SO THANK YOU.
IMAGINE THE NEW CLINIC IS REALLY GOING TO HELP YOU GUYS TAKE CARE OF THESE ANIMALS IN A MUCH BETTER WAY.
TELL US, CAN PEOPLE JOIN THE ZOO ON YOUR WEBSITE?
DO YOU BECOME A MEMBER OR SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES.
>> THAT'S ONE OF THE BEST KEPT SECRETS.
IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.
IF YOU VISIT MORE THAN TWICE, YOUR FAMILY VISITS MORE THAN TWICE A YEAR, BUYING THE MEMBERSHIP GIVES YOU ACCESS WHENEVER YOU WANT TO COME FOR FREE.
AND IT MORE THAN PAYS FOR ITSELF.
THERE IS A MEMBERSHIP MAGAZINE THAT WE SEND OUT.
SO YOU GET UPDATES OF LUCAS AND EAGON AND THE VETERINARY STAFF.
>> AND MORTOISE AND THE ROCK BAND.
I WANT TO THANK OUR PANELISTS FOR COMING AND JOINING US.
TED FOX, DIRECTOR OF THE ROSAMOND GIFFORD ZOO ASHLEY SHEPPARD, A COLLECTION MANAGER AND ASIAN ELEPHANT KEEPER AT THE ROSAMOND GIFFORD ZOO DR. BECKY EDDY, A ZOOLOGICAL VETERINARIAN AT THE ZOO AND LUCAS WHITMAN, A BIRDKEEPER AT THE ROSAMOND GIFFORD ZOO AND THANK YOU ESPECIALLY TO MORTOISE THE RADIATED TORTOISE AND EAGON THE EURASIAN EAGLE-OWL BE SURE TO VISIT WCNY.ORG/CYCLEOFHEALTH FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS AND OTHER EPISODES OF CYCLE OF HEALTH.
I'M DR. RICH O'NEILL, THANKS FOR JOINING US.
ON THE NEXT CYCLE OF HEALTH, RETIRING HEALTHY.
WE DISCUSS HOW TO BEST PREPARE TO TAKE THIS NEXT STEP IN LIFE.
DISCOVER WAYS TO MAINTAIN BOTH OUR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH, LEARN ABOUT SERVICES OUT THERE MAKING IT EASIER TO NAVIGATE RETIREMENT, PLUS, HEAR FROM A RECENT RETIREE WHO HAS FACED SOME OBSTACLES HEAD-ON.
YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS THIS CONVERSATION, ALL ON THE NEXT CYCLE OF HEALTH.
Preview: S13 Ep4 | 30s | Folks from the zoo stop by to talk about caring for their unique collection of animals. (30s)
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