Chennai Surgeons Save Endangered Gharial with Innovative Surgery
Veterinary college surgeons fix metal plate on fractured snout to save endangered gharial in Chennai
The Times Of IndiaImage: The Times Of India
Surgeons at Madras Veterinary College in Chennai successfully performed a delicate procedure on a critically endangered gharial, fixing a metal plate to its fractured upper snout. This innovative adaptation of a dog surgery technique aims to support the animal's recovery and highlights the ecological importance of preserving such species.
- 01Surgeons used a novel technique to treat a fractured snout of a gharial, a critically endangered species.
- 02The surgery involved adapting a method typically used for dogs to suit the reptile's unique anatomy.
- 03The gharial is currently under post-surgical care and is being force-fed as it recovers.
- 04The external metal plate will be replaced with an internal one after a month.
- 05This procedure underscores the significance of individual animal survival in conservation efforts.
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In a groundbreaking surgical procedure, a team at Madras Veterinary College (MVC) in Chennai successfully repaired the fractured upper snout of a five-year-old gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), a critically endangered crocodile species. The injury, sustained during a fight, posed significant risks due to the gharial's endangered status. Led by professor Md Shafiuzama, the surgical team employed a modified version of the supercutaneous plating (SCP) technique, typically used for dogs. This minimally invasive method involved securing a metal plate externally along the snout, as internal placement was not feasible due to the lack of loose tissue. The surgery preserved the animal's blood supply and minimized trauma, promoting faster healing. Post-surgery, the gharial is in isolation at the Chennai Snake Park Trust (CSPT) and is being force-fed until it can eat independently. In a month, the external plate will be replaced with an internal one, further aiding its recovery. This procedure not only showcases innovative veterinary practices but also emphasizes the importance of individual survival in the conservation of endangered species.
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This surgical success not only aids the recovery of a critically endangered gharial but also enhances awareness and efforts towards wildlife conservation in the region.
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