LONDON, Sept 19 (Askume) – Amala, an 800-kg southern white rhino at a wildlife park in northwest England, has undergone an “unprecedented” medical procedure to help heal an injured front leg.
Knowsley Wildlife Park on Merseyside and the University of Liverpool worked together to perform the rare surgery after Amara suffered a fracture of her ulna, the park said in a statement on Thursday.
A team of specialist surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and vets carried out the five-hour operation, which included keyhole surgery on Amara’s wrist.
“Since there are no records or documentation of rhinos suffering from this type of leg injury worldwide, the research team used their expertise in treating horses and applied it to Amara,” Park said.
“Amara’s surgery was different to any surgery we have experienced before,” said David Stark, senior lecturer in equine surgery at the University of Liverpool. “Treating Amara has been a truly unprecedented veterinary journey that has involved many firsts.”
Amara is finally back on her feet and able to enjoy life outside. Lindsay Banks, from Knowsley Safari Park, said Amara’s cast was removed in May.
“Twenty-seven weeks have passed since Amara broke her leg and was left in the paddock for the remainder of the accident, and we will continue to monitor her closely as her recovery continues,” Banks said.
