In brief
The newly launched Zoo and Aquarium Radiology Database provides vital medical images of various rare species, such as rhinos and sea stars, allowing veterinarians to better diagnose and treat these unique animals, with hopes of expanding the database significantly in the coming years.
A Skeleton Bank of Understudied Species In an ambitious move to support the healthcare of endangered and lesser-known animal species, a new database of medical imaging has been established, offering veterinary professionals crucial insights into what constitutes a healthy interior for a variety of uncommon creatures, ranging from rhinos and tamarins to pangolins and sea stars. This initiative is led by Dr. Michael Adkesson, president and CEO of Brookfield Zoo in Chicago, who highlights the challenges radiologists face when evaluating species that are not commonly studied, stating, “Radiologists are very comfortable with dogs, cats, horses, cows, but ask them to peer inside a critically endangered, 2,300-pound black rhino, and they might quickly find themselves in uncharted territory.”The trouble began when a black rhino at Brookfield Zoo faced undiagnosed breathing issues in 2018. During attempts to conduct a CT scan of the animal, the veterinary team realized they lacked reliable reference data for the species’ anatomy. This gap in knowledge propelled them to create the Zoo and Aquarium Radiology Database, recently unveiled, which aims to become a vital tool for wildlife veterinarians.Collaborating with seven other zoological institutions, the database currently holds over 1,000 medical images, including X-rays and CT scans, of 50 species, such as the greater roadrunner and the bowmouth guitarfish. The project's ambitious goal is to expand to over 10,000 images representing 500 species by 2026, significantly enhancing the resources available for wildlife health assessments. By providing visual references for the unique physiological features of rare animals, this initiative stands to make a notable impact on wildlife veterinary medicine, paving the way for better care and understanding of these often-overlooked species.
