|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
“Hank,” an 11-year-old, 246-pound sloth bear, was immobilized this week and transported to Zoo Miami’s Animal Hospital to have a comprehensive physical exam. This procedure is part of a preventative medicine program and served as preparation for a move to a new habitat.
The exam included determining his weight, collecting blood and urine, and taking a series of radiographs. He also received an ultrasound of the heart, liver and spleen, a dental exam, and an endoscopy to evaluate his gastro-intestinal health. Finally, he received his rabies vaccination as well as a de-wormer. The procedures were directed by Zoo Miami Associate Veterinarian, Dr. Rodney Schellbacher with the assistance of the Animal Health and Animal Science teams.
The results of the exam did not reveal any abnormalities and Hank has since made a full recovery. He has been transported to a different habitat at Zoo Miami which will give him the opportunity to exhibit his natural solitary behaviors. Previously, he was time-sharing the sloth bear habitat with Keematee and their two young cubs.
Sloth bears are solitary and found in moist and dry forests of the Indian subcontinent. They feed primarily on fruit and insects – especially termites, and are missing their two top front teeth which enables them to create a straw with their long lips and suck up termites and other insects quickly and effectively. Their long shaggy coat does not have an undercoat, so it helps keep them cool in their native warm climate while protecting them from biting insects.
Hank was born at the Smithsonian National Zoo on December 19th, 2012 and arrived at Zoo Miami on November 30, 2016.
Zoo Miami is proud to have provided thousands of dollars directly to sloth bear conservation in India through the Ron Magill Conservation Endowment at the Zoo Miami Foundation.
ABOUT US:
For more Miami community news, look no further than Miami Community Newspapers. This Miami online group of newspapers covers a variety of topics about the local community and beyond. Miami’s Community Newspapers offers daily news, online resources, podcasts and other multimedia content to keep readers informed. With topics ranging from local news to community events, Miami’s Community Newspapers is the ideal source for staying up to date with the latest news and happenings in the area.
This family-owned media company publishes more than a dozen neighborhood publications, magazines, special sections on their websites, newsletters, as well as distributing them in print throughout Miami Dade County from Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Pinecrest, South Miami, Kendall, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay and Homestead. Each online publication and print editions provide comprehensive coverage of local news, events, business updates, lifestyle features, and local initiatives within its respective community.
Additionally, the newspaper has exclusive Miami community podcasts, providing listeners with an in-depth look into Miami’s culture. Whether you’re looking for local Miami news, or podcasts, Miami’s Community Newspapers has you covered. For more information, be sure to check out: https://communitynewspapers.com.
If you have any questions, feel free to email Michael@communitynewspapers.com or Grant@communitynewspapers.com
#thatscommunitynews #communitynewspapers #miamidade #miamidadecounty #thatscommunity #miamicommunitynews #coralgables #palmettobay #southmiami #doral #aventura #pinecrest #kendall #broward #biscaynebay #westpark
