A one-eyed elephant will have an operation after routine tests found that she is now practically blind in her remaining eye.
In 2011, Duchess, Paignton Zoo's 42-year-old African elephant, became the first in the country to have an eye removed. She had the operation because of glaucoma in her right eye, but cataracts have now left her with limited sight in her left. Now, a routine check has shown that what vision remains is deteriorating, so she will have an operation next month to have the cataracts removed.
The zoo said consultant ophthalmologist Jim Carter, from Abbotskerswell Veterinary Centre and South Devon Referrals, has confirmed that the cataract had worsened since her last check-up four months ago. A team of experts is now involved in monitoring her care.
Neil Bemment, curator of mammals and director of operations at Paignton Zoo, said: "Duchess is to all intents and purposes now blind, although she can probably still tell the difference between light and dark. In Jim's opinion she is not in pain, which is at least some good news."
Duchess has been trained to accept eye-drops and other medication. She has been on her own since long-time companion Gay, a female Asian elephant, was put to sleep in 2010 due to ill health. Mr Bemment said: "In spite of this she seems to still be in good spirits, and as keen on her food as always. She receives a lot of attention from her keepers."
He said the chances of Duchess regaining full sight were slim, but that "long sight with limited close vision" was a possibility. "Elephants have an acute sense of smell and terrific hearing, so she is well aware of things happening around her even if she cannot actually see them," he said. "We are however, considering all of the long-term implications of blindness and will be monitoring her behaviour closely over the coming months."
