Hospital medical equipment donated to Jersey Zoo

Tuesday 22 August 2023

Orangutans, gorillas and other animals at Jersey Zoo requiring urgent surgery are set to benefit from the donation of "invaluable" medical equipment no longer needed by the hospital.

Head of Veterinary Services Dr Allan Muir said the two general anaesthetic machines and two patient trolleys would help staff treat the animal patients at Jersey Zoo's hospital.

Dr Muir said they were "extremely grateful" for the equipment.

Surgical Services Group planned care lead Jemma Hammond said: "We wanted to ensure that the equipment that was no longer required by HCS, went to a good home.

"We have a long-standing relationship with the zoo and, as the equipment they use does not need to meet the same stringent requirements needed for human use, we wanted to keep supporting them as much as we can."

Ms Hammond added that this was "an excellent learning experience for all the teams involved and helps support the health of the animals at Jersey Zoo."

Pictured: Orangutans are among the animals who will be able to benefit from the new equipment. (Rachel Hughes)

Dr Muir said: "There are a lot of crossovers between the health and medical care of animals and humans, having this new equipment will allow us to better monitor and ventilate the diverse array of patients we anaesthetise here at the zoo’s hospital.

"Additionally, the trolleys will be invaluable when it comes to future procedures on the orangutans and gorillas in the zoo."

He added: "At Jersey Zoo, we work with some of the rarest species in the world, so any time we need to undertake a medical procedure it is imperative that we give our animals the best possible care."

Pictured - top: The equipment donated by the Health Department includes two GE Medical Anaesthetic machines and two Anetic Aid patient trolleys.