British specialists have begun operations to remove damaged tusks from walruses at the Moscow Zoo in one of dentistry's most challenging feats. The mammals have ground their tusks on their enclosure floor so much that they have been in pain for months, and are at risk of death from septicaemia after developing abscesses. Only removal of the tusks down to the roots can save the creatures, who have names such as Aphrodite, Hedgehog, Number Eight and Stripe. The Britons, part of the International Zoo Veterinary Group, are the only team in Europe qualified to treat the problem. Putting the mammals to sleep safely is the most acute challenge that the vets, dentists and anaesthetists face.
Walruses go into diving mode and stop breathing when unconscious.
A special ventilator has been developed to deal with the problem, along with new dental tools and lifting gear to handle the animals, which can weigh up to half a tonne. Tusks in adult males can grow long and heavy and those belonging to the Moscow walruses extend some distance up into their heads. Operations on all 10 patients will last until tomorrow, with the visitors working all day. They are in less than ideal health already and the anaesthetic implications of that are going to be significant. Similar operations have been performed in the past on individual walruses and bigger animals such as elephants, but never have so many been treated in one go.