Dolphin Returns to Brookfield Zoo for Health Care

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: September 29, 2021 12:59 pm

Lucky, a 47-year-old male bottlenose dolphin at Brookfield Zoo, during a training session with Beth Miller, a senior animal care specialist for the Chicago Zoological Society.

Photo Credit: Jim Schulz/CZS-Brookfield Zoo

Brookfield Zoo have welcomed the return to Lucky, a 47 year old bottlenose dolphin who has been residing at another accredited facility. Unfortunately it is a bittersweet return with Lucky having recently been diagnosed with an oral tumor.

His return will ensure he receives the best care and chance of recovery from his condition. Brookfield Zoo are one of less than a dozen zoos and aquariums to have an onsite CT scanner which can be used to diagnose Lucky.

Lucky had been at his previous home since 2008 having live at Brookfield Zoo prior to this. Veterinarians diagnosed the tumor in June but luckily Lucky was diagnosed as being in otherwise perfect health.

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Dr. Mike Adkesson, vice president of clinical medicine, and two marine mammal care specialists from Brookfield Zoo travelled to his previous time before he travelled to Illinois and accompanied him during his flight to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.

Pathologists from the University of Illinois Zoological Pathology Program have evaluated the tumour as a squamous cell carcinoma. This cancer has been previously observed in wild and captive common dolphins.

“Brookfield Zoo is one of less than a dozen zoos and aquariums with a CT scanner on site. Having this diagnostic capability here at the zoo’s Animal Hospital allows us to continue to closely monitor Lucky’s condition and response to treatment,” said Adkesson. “In the weeks ahead, our team will be working with veterinary oncologists and surgeons to develop a treatment plan for Lucky. We are hopeful and optimistic that we can treat his condition and provide him more healthy years ahead.”

Lucky, a 47-year-old bottlenose dolphin at Brookfield Zoo has been at another accredited facility since 2008. He returned to the zoo to undergo treatment for an oral tumor that was diagnosed during a CT scan.

Photo Credit: Jim Schulz/CZS-Brookfield Zoo

Learn more about Bottlenose Dolphins here – Bottlenose Dolphin Fact File | The Animal Facts

Learn more about the Brookfield Zoo on their website – Brookfield Zoo