MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – An endangered crocodile at Zoo Miami is recovering after an operation to treat an infected wound likely caused by a bite from another crocodile.
The 13-year-old Orinoco crocodile suffered a wound that needed to be debrided and medicated, Zoo Miami spokesman Ron Magill said. To do so, however, the crocodile had to be immobilized and taken to the zoo hospital.
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Dr. Doug Mader, director of the Marathon Veterinary Hospital in the Florida Keys and one of the top veterinary specialists in the field of herpetology, volunteered his time and staff to assist with the procedure.
The 10-foot-long, 396-pound reptile received several X-rays and blood tests before the surgery to remove the infected material.
Magill said the crocodile will remain in the zoo hospital for the next several days to heal before returning to the "Amazon and Beyond" exhibit.