ZSL vets treat lion ear infection, cobra spitting
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- ZSL employs a dedicated team of five veterinarians, six nurses, a pathologist, a pathology technician, a molecular diagnostician, and a microbiologist, a rare in‑house capability among UK zoos.
- King Arthur the king cobra, spat venom at photographer David Levene immediately after receiving an anaesthetic injection, illustrating the challenges of handling dangerous reptiles.
- Bhanu the Asiatic lion required a general anaesthetic to treat chronic ear infections caused by an unusually narrow ear canal, allowing vets to examine his teeth and internal health.
- Charles Spooner documented early zoo veterinary care in the early 1900s, treating a lion cub named Nelson for mange, teething troubles and a fatal‑risk jaw ulcer.
- Joan Beauchamp Procter became the first female curator of reptiles and amphibians in 1923 and revolutionised reptile housing at ZSL.
- Oliver Graham‑Jones was appointed Britain’s first dedicated zoo vet in 1951 and invented the handheld dart gun for remote anaesthetic delivery.
Why it matters: ZSL's veterinary team of five vets and six nurses gains public profile as the charity celebrates its 200th birthday, strengthening donor support and ensuring continued advanced care for endangered animals.
