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WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A veterinary dentist came to the rescue of a Sedgwick County Zoo elephant that suffered a broken tusk in a fight with another male elephant.
The zoo says Callee got into a sparring match with Titan earlier this month. During the match, Callee lost part of his tusk at the pulp cavity, which led to bleeding. Several visitors witnessed the fight.
The zoo says the tusk had to be repaired immediately to prevent more damage and infection. Because tusks are basically giant teeth, the zoo called on Dr. Doug Winter, a board-certified veterinary dentist who is also certified in zoo and wildlife dentistry.
Winter performed the elephant equivalent of a root canal on Callee’s tusk, assisted by the zoo’s elephant care team, maintenance, and veterinary staff.
The procedure was a success, and Callee is now recovering.
The zoo says the procedure occurred while members of the Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians were visiting, so zoo vet techs from across the nation witnessed the dental work firsthand.
