In June, Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance’s Veterinary Medicine team was joined by the hand and microvascular surgery team from Denver Health to perform surgeries on Hesty, a 14-year-old Sumatran orangutan. Hesty sustained injuries to her hands, feet, and elbows during an interaction with another orangutan, a normal part of this Critically Endangered species’ social relationships.
This collaboration combined veterinary and human medical expertise to provide Hesty with the best care possible. Dr. Spencer Kehoe, Clinical Veterinarian at DZCA, emphasized the importance of this cooperation highlighting how interdisciplinary efforts can lead to remarkable outcomes.
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of our Veterinary Medicine and Animal Care Teams, and the helping hands from Denver Health, Hesty is healing well and expected to make a full recovery. This success story underscores our commitment to #SavingWildlifeTogether.
Watch our interview with Dr. Spencer Kehoe to learn more about this unique operation and the importance of teamwork in wildlife conservation. 🧡
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