Our last few days in Uganda were spent at the Entebbe Zoo with Dr. Hameed Kateregga, the zoo’s veterinarian.  This placement gave us great exposure to zoo medicine and we were happy that we could help with their cases and that the supplies we brought were useful as their resources are tighter than those of the zoos here in Canada.

The first task we received was to help the veterinarian with a necropsy on a Grey Crowned Crane, a beautiful bird that is Uganda’s national animal. The one that the zoo received had been hit by a car and both its legs were broken but we performed a necropsy to see if there were any underlying issues.  We won’t post any photos of the necropsy as they are quite graphic but below is a photo of the cranes in the wild.

 

There were several orphaned animals being taken care of at the zoo and we got to help with their feedings, exercise and play to ensure their optimal physical, mental and emotional health as well as improving their socialization and getting them more accustomed to human presence.

A 9-month old chimpanzee named Sunny particularly captured our hearts. She had been brought in a few months ago and she was very small and malnourished upon arrival.  Her outlook did not look good but after some intensive care, she slowly regained her strength and is now a rambunctious and friendly little chimp!

 

There was a 3 year old orphaned elephant named Charles that we gladly took for walks in order to ensure he got his exercise!

 

We were also able to help examine and dress wounds on a Marabou Stork that had its wing amputated and a Duiker (a small antelope species) that had one of its front legs amputated.  The DermaGel that we brought was particularly useful here!

 

We also got to witness the release of a Kestrel that had an injured wing that healed after treatment and rehabilitation!

 

We had a great experience at the Entebbe Zoo and they do their best to ensure that the animals receive the care that they need.