On the morning of July 12th, the Sacramento Zoo confirmed the pregnancy of its female Red river hog. The ultrasound was performed in the Zoo’s Dr. Murray E. Fowler Veterinary Hospital this morning and there appears to be three piglets. The Red river hog also received a full exam and is in good health. Her due date is estimated to be mid-August. This will be the first Red river hog offspring born at the Sacramento Zoo.
The Sacramento Zoo recently added a new audio-visual system to the Dr. Murray E. Fowler Veterinary Hospital giving Zoo visitors the opportunity to see how the Zoo’s veterinarians provide the best possible care to the resident animals. Through a generous contribution of $19,600 from AT&T, the Zoo has upgraded the audio-visual system in multiple areas of the hospital.
In addition to watching procedures through the viewing windows, visitors can also get an up-close look via the overhead camera mounted in the treatment room. Live images of the procedure in progress can be seen on the large screen in the viewing window. The pan, tilt and zoom functions give visitors a close up view as if they were in the room.
The veterinary hospital was built in 2006 with the plans to add this audio-visual system to provide an educational component to the veterinary hospital. “It is exciting to see this piece complement the state-of-the-art hospital,” said Dr. Ray Wack, Zoo Veterinarian. “We want our visitors to see the high quality care we provide to the animals and stimulate their interest in veterinary medicine,” Wack said.
A speaker system has also been added so that you can hear comments from the veterinary staff. When possible, a staff person will assist visitors by relaying questions directed to the veterinary staff during procedures.
“At AT&T, we’re supportive of innovative education efforts that enrich our community,” said Kathy McKim, AT&T Vice President of External Affairs. “We salute the Sacramento Zoo for the work they are doing to engage visitors, and inspire greater interest in these wonderful animals and veterinary medicine.”
When the treatment room is not in use, the AV system will be used to display information about conservation programs the Zoo is involved with, live camera feeds showing animals that are hospitalized as well as science-based programming. When you enter the Zoo, ask at the ticket booth if there are any scheduled activities in the veterinary hospital for the day. Most exams are Monday – Wednesday from 9 am to Noon.
Sacramento Zoo – Wildly Inspiring!