Current:Home > MyZoo pulls 70 coins from alligator's stomach, urges visitors not to throw money into exhibits-LoTradeCoin
Zoo pulls 70 coins from alligator's stomach, urges visitors not to throw money into exhibits
View Date:2024-12-25 01:02:01
A Nebraska zoo is telling visitors not to throw coins into animal exhibits after veterinarians pulled $7 in coins out of an alligator's belly.
Workers at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha performed surgery on a white alligator Thursday, retrieving 70 U.S. coins from the reptile's stomach after "metal foreign objects" were found during routine exams.
In a social media post, the zoo said all 10 of its alligators went through blood collection and radiographs as part of their routine care when veterinarians identified the objects in the stomach of an iconic resident of the zoo − Thibodaux, a 36-year-old leucistic American alligator.
Christina Ploog, an associate veterinarian at the zoo who led the procedure, told local outlet KETV that guests don't realize how harmful the coins could be, not just because the alligators could ingest them but because some could have harmful chemicals.
You could save the next Sweetpea:How to adopt from the Puppy Bowl star's rescue
The Lincoln Journal Star reported that as the alligators rub their feet along the bottom of the water they could stir up the coins, which would make coins that are thrown in the pool easier to ingest.
"Guests should not throw coins into any bodies of water at the zoo," the release stated.
Procedure witnessed by visitors: Report
Ploog said Thibodaux was anesthetized and intubated as officials removed the coins.
"We'll go ahead and get some baseline heavy metal blood screening to make sure that the metal that they were eating isn't anything more dangerous, like lead or zinc or something like that," Ploog told KETV.
The outlet reported that Thibodaux's operation was witnessed by some visitors.
Jordan McCarthy told KETV he and his sons went to the zoo on Sunday to see the alligators, but when he got there, he found that the pathway to their exhibit was closed and a team of vets were working on Thibodaux the white alligator.
"They said they had to shove a tube of PVC down his throat so they could get a bunch of coins out," McCarthy told the outlet.
A follow-up X-ray after the operation showed Thibodaux free of coins. The Zoo said, "he's recovered well from the procedure and is back in his habitat."
“Though a procedure like the one done on Thibodaux is not always common, it’s a great example of what our animal care and animal health teams do every day across our campus to provide excellent care to our animals,” Taylor Yaw, zoo veterinarian and director of animal health, said in the release.
veryGood! (9961)
Related
- Nearly 80,000 pounds of Costco butter recalled for missing 'Contains Milk statement': FDA
- USC, UConn women's basketball announce must-see December series
- Halle Berry Poses Naked on Open Balcony in Boyfriend Van Hunt's Cheeky Mother's Day Tribute
- Actor Steve Buscemi randomly assaulted in Manhattan, publicist says
- Pete Alonso's best free agent fits: Will Mets bring back Polar Bear?
- As work continues to remove cargo ship from collapsed Baltimore bridge, what about its crew?
- Harry Dunn, former US Capitol police officer, running in competitive Maryland congressional primary
- Jake Paul the villain? Boxer discusses meeting Mike Tyson face to face before their fight
- Black, red or dead: How Omaha became a hub for black squirrel scholarship
- Maine governor declines to remove sheriff accused of wrongdoing
Ranking
- FBI offers up to $25,000 reward for information about suspect behind Northwest ballot box fires
- Transform Your Tresses With These Anti-Frizz Products That Work So Well, They're Basically Magic
- Bindi Irwin Shares How Daughter Grace Reminds Her of Late Dad Steve Irwin
- Bradley Cooper and Irina Shayk's Daughter Lea Makes Special Red Carpet Appearance
- 2 credit unions in Mississippi and Louisiana are planning to merge
- 2 little-known Social Security rules to help maximize retirement benefits
- Proposed settlement is first step in securing Colorado River water for 3 Native American tribes
- Miss USA resignations: CW 'evaluating' relationship with pageants ahead of live ceremonies
Recommendation
-
Quincy Jones' cause of death revealed: Reports
-
Blinken says U.S. won't back Rafah incursion without credible plan to protect civilians
-
LA County puts 66 probation officers on leave for misconduct including sexual abuse, excessive force
-
Halle Berry's boyfriend Van Hunt posts NSFW photo of the actress in Mother's Day tribute
-
The ancient practice of tai chi is more popular than ever. Why?
-
Major agricultural firm sues California over farmworker unionization law
-
Georgia mandated training for police on stun gun use, but hasn’t funded it
-
Taylor Swift will be featured on Eras Tour opener Gracie Abrams' new album, 'The Secret of Us'