PHOTOS: Zoo Miami’s 34 Caribbean flamingos receive annual wellness exams

Zoo Miami flamingos Zoo Miami team corrals the flamingo flock into a holding area for exams.

MIAMI — The flamingos at Zoo Miami were rounded up by staff on Tuesday for their annual wellness exams.

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According to the zoo, its animal health team went into the flamingo habitat and set up a mobile clinic “alongside a specially constructed corral area adjacent to the habitat” in order for the 34 Caribbean flamingos to be properly examined.

Several of the zoo’s associate veterinarians took part in the examinations, receiving assistance from its animal science and animal health teams, according to Zoo Miami.

Per the zoo, each examination included collecting information that included each flamingo’s individual weights, blood samples “and checking the overall body condition with special attention to the feet, which can be susceptible to certain issues.”

The zoo also said that each flamingo received a vaccination for the West Nile virus, and some of them received radiographs and ultrasounds.

The results of the examinations proved to be positive, as the zoo said, “other than some minor eye issues commonly associated with advanced age and some foot issues that will be carefully monitored and treated as indicated, all the flamingos appeared to be in good condition and were successfully returned to the habitat following the procedure.”

You can check out photos of the process below:

Zoo Miami flamingos Zoo Miami team corrals the flamingo flock into a holding area for exams.
Zoo Miami flamingos Animal Care Coordinator, Terry Casanova, and Associate Veterinarian, Dr. Megan Freeman, secure a flamingo while Animal Science Manager, Marni Wood, photographs its feet.
Zoo Miami flamingos Animal Care Coordinator, Terry Casanova, releases a flamingo back to the habitat following its examination.
Zoo Miami flamingos Dr. Nicholas Buscaglia confirms the microchip identification number to Zoo Miami One Health student, Matthew Maquire.
Zoo Miami flamingos Associate Zoo Veterinarian, Dr. Marisa Bezjian, performs an eye examination on a flamingo.

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David Dwork

David Dwork

David Dwork joined the WPLG Local 10 News team in August 2019. Born and raised in Miami-Dade County, David has covered South Florida sports since 2007.