A memorable visit from the CHUV veterinary medicine team

Last March, we had the pleasure of welcoming the CHUV veterinary medicine team for their third annual visit to assess the overall health of our living collection. The team of dedicated professionals took on the task of evaluating the health of each of our specimens, assessing the conditions under which they are kept and updating care protocols.

During this visit, we had the opportunity to develop a plan for Terry Fox, our stump turtle. The little painted turtle came to us last October in a sorry state, having suffered serious injuries to all four legs and tail two months prior to her admission.

Terry Fox, the turtle

A true force of nature, Terry Fox has progressed enormously since his arrival at the Rehabilitation Center. Fast, agile and combative, he has learned to get around despite his four-legged stumps. In collaboration with a number of specialists, we were fortunate to be able to design a plan for a prosthesis for our amazing resident.

This project will enable him to express normal behaviours essential to his quality of life and well-being. Although young Terry is still too small for prostheses, he is an ideal candidate for surgery in a few years' time!

The CHUV's veterinary medicine team took advantage of its visit to assess the state of health of Lancelot, our copper redhorse. The well-being of this specimen is all the more important for our rich ecosystem, since the copper redhorse is found nowhere else in the world than in Quebec, where it occupies only a few waterways.

Lancelot, the copper redhorse

Today, only one population remains of this emblematic fish, which has been on Canada's endangered species list since 2007. The result of a breeding program initiated by the Quebec Aquarium, Lancelot is an important symbol of awareness. When he reaches adulthood, our famous copper redhorse will join the members of his captive-bred family to take part in the breeding program!

With these few stories, we're happy to report that all the residents of our ecology laboratory are in good health! You too can be part of the fascinating story of our residents, since doing an activity at the Park is also contributing to our mission!