An alligator at a US zoo recently underwent surgery to remove 70 coins from its stomach. The coins were thrown into the enclosure by zoo patrons and were ingested by the rare, 36-year-old leucistic alligator named Thibodaux. This incident sheds light on the potential harm that such seemingly harmless actions can have on animals in captivity.
The Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium in Nebraska revealed that Thibodaux had to undergo surgery to remove the coins from his stomach. This came to light during a routine examination that involved blood collection and radiographs for all 10 alligators in the enclosure. The quick action of zoo workers prevented any serious health issues for Thibodaux, who has since recovered and returned to his habitat.
Christina Ploog, associate veterinarian at the zoo, noted that people often do not realize the danger of throwing coins near animals. Not only can the animals ingest the coins, but they may also contain harmful chemicals that can further endanger their health. The zoo emphasized the importance of refraining from throwing any objects into animal enclosures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The zoo’s response to this incident highlights the need for visitors to be mindful of their actions around animals in captivity. While it may seem harmless to toss coins into enclosures, the consequences can be severe for the animals. This serves as a cautionary tale to raise awareness about the potential harm that well-intentioned but ill-considered actions can have on the animals under the care of zoos and aquariums worldwide.
