London Zoo Vets: A Year of Caring for Endangered Animals
As London Zoo celebrates its 200th birthday, photographer David Levene has spent a year documenting the intricate veterinary operations performed on some of the world's most endangered animals. From sedated rhinos to spitting snakes, the team at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) faces unique challenges in keeping their patients healthy and happy.
Facing Dangerous Patients
Levene's project began with a baptism of fire when he found himself face-to-face with a lion on just the second day. Bhanu, an Asiatic lion, suffered from chronic ear infections requiring a general anaesthetic for examination. While under, vets performed comprehensive checks, including inspecting his teeth, crucial for a carnivore's health.
The veterinary team at ZSL, which includes five vets, six nurses, and specialists like a pathologist and microbiologist, is one of the few in-house teams in British zoos. Over two centuries, ZSL vets have pioneered animal care, from early treatments by Charles Spooner to innovations like the handheld dart gun invented by Oliver Graham-Jones in 1951.
Precision and Passion in Procedures
Levene captured the delicate balance required in treating animals large and small. For instance, moving a sedated rhino involves over a dozen staff, as anaesthetised animals don't always fall asleep conveniently. Security was heightened when Kiburi, a 177kg gorilla, underwent a CT scan and health check.
Smaller procedures are equally taxing. Dormice, part of conservation breeding programmes, were weighed and anaesthetised with tiny face masks for health checks. Levene's favourite image shows four staff tending to a mountain chicken frog with gallstones, a critically endangered species with only 21 found in the wild in 2023.
The Emotional and Professional Dynamics
During his year behind the scenes, Levene was struck by the passion and professionalism of the staff. Vets and nurses maintained a laser-focused detachment during surgeries, while keepers, who live with the animals daily, often took emotional opportunities to cuddle sedated creatures. Levene himself experienced the wonder of holding a sedated lion's paw, describing it as a "big unit" requiring two hands.
The work extends beyond treatment to pathology, with Simon Spiro, the UK's only full-time zoo pathologist, conducting postmortems to understand causes of death and improve care. His analyses help monitor zoonotic diseases and inform conservation efforts.
Conservation and Science at the Core
ZSL, founded for zoological advancement, remains a scientific organisation at heart. Head vet Amanda Guthrie emphasises that the zoo was never intended as mere entertainment but for studying animals. ZSL contributes to global conservation through research, reintroduction programmes like the Mountain Chicken Recovery Programme, and partnerships with organisations worldwide.
From cataract removal in rhinos to health checks on ravens at the Tower of London, the veterinary team's work ensures the welfare of rare species. As ZSL looks to the future, its legacy of innovation and dedication continues to protect endangered animals for generations to come.
