Operation at Paignton Zoo saves elephant’s eye

A ground-breaking operation has saved the sight of an African elephant at Paignton Zoo in Devon.

Zoo vets and top specialists performed the operation to remove a cataract from the left eye of 4-tonne, 42 year-old female Duchess.

In 2011 Duchess had her right eye removed because of glaucoma. Cataracts had left her with limited sight in her other eye. Vets decided to operate on this eye as a routine check-up showed that her remaining vision was deteriorating due to the formation of cataracts.

Senior keeper Jim Dicks, who has cared for Duchess for many years, said: “I am absolutely over the moon. It couldn’t have gone any better. She can see again!”

Matthew Webb, Senior Head Keeper of Mammals at Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, said: “Duchess is showing very good signs of recovery and is following her training targets and the keepers with her eye. Duchess’ welfare and quality of life are our primary concern. She is in very high spirits, is as keen on her food as always and is enjoying being able to reach for naturally growing food around her enclosure, which previously she could not. She is receiving a lot of attention from her keepers as always.”

Consultant ophthalmologist Jim Carter from Abbotskerswell Veterinary Centre / South Devon Referrals added: “She is doing very well, with no active inflammation and with vision already significantly better than prior to surgery. She is on a reducing dose of topical medication. I’m very pleased with her overall progress.”

Staff at Paignton Zoo – a registered charity – have been caring for Duchess’s eyesight for some time now, and she has been trained to accept eye-drops and other medication.

Among the other outside experts involved in her general care are veterinary surgeons John Lewis from the International Zoo Veterinary Group, ophthalmologist David Gould (Davies Veterinary Specialists), David Burton (Burton’s Medical Equipment) and Ian Sayers (Abbotskerswell Veterinary Centre / South Devon Referrals). Paignton Zoo Environmental Park is a registered charity. For more information go to www.paigntonzoo.org.uk or ring (01803) 697500.