Brevard Zoo Cares for Siamang ‘Sapphire’ Through Recent Ongoing Health Issues

Brevard Zoo has created a plan for Sapphire’s care that includes a major operation

Despite the ebullient refrain often heard from her island, Siamang Sapphire has been feeling the effects of an ongoing health problem lately. (Picture of Brevard Zoo)

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Despite the exuberant choral singing often heard from her island, Siamang Sapphire has been feeling the effects of an ongoing health problem lately.

Our animal care team, who regularly monitor the quality of life of all sick or geriatric animal residents, have created a plan for their care that includes major surgery.

In 2019, Sapphire showed signs of being unwell, in addition to being lethargic and disinterested in food. A definitive diagnosis was not made at the time, but our vets thought it was likely a reproductive disease such as endometriosis or cysts. These disorders are common problems in older female Siamangs who have never been pregnant before.

A recent CT scan confirmed that there are abnormalities in her reproductive tract. At 43 years old, Sapphire has already exceeded the average lifespan of siamangs in human care (around 40 years old).

Sapphire is given painkillers to get through these episodes, which have recently increased in intensity and frequency. Our animal and veterinary departments recently met to assess Sapphire’s quality of life, whether she would undergo exploratory surgery with the possibility of a hysterectomy – surgery to remove her womb – or no surgery . After considering all the factors involved, it was decided that surgery was the best option for her.

This procedure allows our veterinary staff to determine where and how far the disease has spread. In the best-case scenario, the disease has only affected her uterus, which can be removed. However, it is possible that multiple organs are affected and the lesions are inoperable.

dr Jeffrey Christiansen of Superior Veterinary Surgical Solutions and Animal Specialty and Emergency Hospital in Rockledge will be helping the zoo’s vets with the surgery.

He is a board-certified veterinary surgeon and has performed multiple surgeries on our zoo animals including kangaroos, an ostrich and a lemur, as well as multiple surgeries on our Florida black bear, Brody.

While our veterinary team routinely performs surgeries, on major procedures, when time is of the essence and the likelihood of complications is higher, board-certified colleagues are brought in to work together.

Pete, Sapphire’s 44-year-old sidekick, will be with Sapphire throughout the process. Small apes like siamangs become very closely bonded, said Lauren Hinson, the zoo’s director of animal programs. Since Pete and Sapphire have lived together for approximately 37 years, being separated would be extremely distressing for them. (Picture of Brevard Zoo)

Pete, Sapphire’s 44-year-old sidekick, will be with Sapphire throughout the process. Small apes like siamangs become very closely bonded, said Lauren Hinson, the zoo’s director of animal programs. Since Pete and Sapphire have lived together for approximately 37 years, being separated would be extremely distressing for them.

“We always try to look at the individual history of the animals and also the natural history before making decisions like this,” Lauren said.

On the day of the operation, which is tentatively scheduled for the end of January, both Siamangs will be sedated in their night house, placed in secure transport boxes and taken to our veterinary clinic. Special hospital booths are set up for Pete and Sapphire with vines, seating, and other items for their comfort.

This is considered major abdominal surgery and there are risks associated with any surgery. Our animal care team had to consider the possibility that Sapphire might not survive this risky surgery and the potential impact it would have on Pete.

In this scenario, Pete may need to move to a different facility to ensure he has a companion, or the zoo may need to add another species of gibbon on the island of Siamang.

The Siamang Species Survival Plan (SSP) coordinator has been contacted to help identify a possible next home for Pete. SSPs are designed to manage animal populations in AZA-accredited zoos to ensure they are healthy and genetically diverse.

We know how much our visitors love Sapphire and Pete who have called the zoo home for almost 25 years. It’s difficult for our entire zoo family, especially our keepers, when one of our animal residents is sick. We hope that through this operation we can give Sapphire a better quality of life and more time with Pete on her island.

source https://www.bisayanews.com/2022/01/22/brevard-zoo-cares-for-siamang-sapphire-through-recent-ongoing-health-issues/