Zoo vets enjoy success in leaps and bounds
7 September 2009 

Vets at Werribee Open Range Zoo have successfully mended the leg of a frog and removed an aching tooth from an African Wild Dog.

The two veterinary challenges were performed by Senior Vet, Peter Holz, last week.

The Green Tree Frog, now named Lucky by the vet team, had his broken leg mended with a metal pin inserted into his right hind leg.

Before the surgery, Lucky was having difficulty jumping and would most likely have died without veterinary assistance.

Lucky's misfortunes began when he became an accidental passenger on wood which was transported on a truck from Queensland to Victoria. A person found him and brought him to the Zoo for treatment.

He is now healing well and is expected to make a full recovery.

Also on the mend is Stripe, an African Wild Dog, who underwent some much needed dental work.

Keepers recently discovered that Stripe was chewing on one side of her mouth and upon closer inspection, the vet team discovered a decaying tooth.

Stripe had to be anaesthathised for the 30 minute procedure, in which her tooth was removed.

She too made a speedy recovery and was later returned to the her family, of which she is the dominant female.

You can visit Stripe and her many neighbours including hippos, lions, monkeys and cheetahs, when you explore the Zoo's exciting Pula Trail.