PerfectGym
Perfect Gym Solutions is a software as a service (SaaS) solution purpose-built to service the fitness industry, with over 1000 clients servicing over two million gym members across 40 countries making…
read moreA new device at Melbourne Zoo is enabling keepers and veterinarians to innovatively monitor the health and welfare of its Little Penguins.
The custom-designed device was conceptualised by Melbourne Zoo keepers, and allows penguins to be weighed with ease and for their feet to be health-checked daily. The device also provides penguins with the choice to voluntarily participate in these routine checks.
Melbourne Zoo Wild Sea keeper Elizabeth Liddicoat, said the device had changed the way keepers now work with the penguins, commenting "this device has been set up so that we can assess the penguins’ health without having to pick them up."
The device is separated into three key sections: the penguins first step into a footbath to clean their feet, before moving on to a scale to be weighed. The penguins then stand on a podoscope, a see-through box with an embedded mirror that reflects the bottom of the penguins’ feet into the view of keepers and vets. Finally, the penguins are presented with a food reward as positive reinforcement.
Liddicoat said keepers need to be able to monitor weight to make sure that the penguins remain healthy and seeing under the penguins’ feet helped with the monitoring of ‘bumblefoot’, adding “Bumblefoot is a really common medical problem that occurs with water birds,” she said. “By standing on the podoscope we can get a great view of the undersides of penguins’ feet and identify and treat the (bacterial and inflammatory) condition in its early stages.”
Liddicoat said that scales and podoscopes were used by keepers for a variety of animals, however the design of the structure at Melbourne Zoo for the Little Penguins was unique, concluding "we’ve never seen it at any other zoo, so we’re pretty sure it’s a brand new idea as far as penguins go."
Little Penguins are native to Australia and are the smallest species of penguin in the world. The penguins at Melbourne Zoo play an important role in educating the public about the health of the marine environment and inspiring people to protect it.
Visitors can see the Little Penguins and the new health care device in action during the daily talks at 3:45pm at the zoo’s Wild Sea precinct.
All images of Little Penguins at Melbourne Zoo: Credit Alex Storer
27th February 2019 - Zoos Victoria to drop Mondelez’s Cadbury products over palm oil fears
22nd January 2019 - Melbourne Zoo builds hydro gym for reptiles
29th July 2016 - Melbourne Zoo highlights plight of orangutans with call for palm oil labelling
21st April 2016 - Penguin Parade to benefit from $58 million investment in new visitor facilities
5th November 2015 - Fox massacres Melbourne Zoo penguins
14th November 2013 - SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium unveils newly refurbished little penguin homes
15th November 2012 - Little Penguins make big splash at National Aquarium
3rd May 2012 - Tourists fined for Sea World penguin-napping
Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?
As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.
The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.
Perfect Gym Solutions is a software as a service (SaaS) solution purpose-built to service the fitness industry, with over 1000 clients servicing over two million gym members across 40 countries making…
read moreICP is an Australian-based company focused on indoor climbing. ICP will manage your project from initial design to completion and beyond, whether you're building an international-level climbing…
read moreAugmented Creative is an open organization of like-minded and highly dedicated, creative people who conceive, plan and execute visual solutions. We pursue new and innovative visual ideas to help…
read moreKnown as Hydrilla since September 2020 - see www.ausleisure.com.au/suppliers/hydrilla-pty-ltd
read morerevolutioniseSPORT is the emerging market leader in online club management in Australia. Whether it is memberships, registrations, events, online sales or governance tools - revolutioniseSPORT is the…
read moreTechnogym is the leading company in the Wellness and Fitness field all over the world. With 2,200 employees, 14 branches in Europe, U.S., South America, Asia and Australia, Technogym exports its…
read moreWith industry leading solutions in design and durability you can improve your facilities with our access control operations, payment systems and flexible personal locker storage solutions. Your…
read moreFelton Industries is Australia’s leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of quality outdoor furniture and has been supplying premium seating solutions for all sporting, commercial, community…
read moreGet your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!