New State-Of-The-Art Center Opens the World of Aquatic Medicine to the Public
The Aquarium’s veterinary hospital features advanced digital equipment. With an Eklin digital radiography system, x-ray film does not need processing and images are more easily stored for diagnostic and record keeping purposes. This new equipment also speeds up the entire process of taking x-rays, which is better for the animals. A high-tech microscope with a camera imaging system can take pictures of slides. Just as with the x-ray machine, this microscope will allow images to be emailed to colleagues. New endoscopy and laparoscopy equipment provide opportunities to perform minimally invasive techniques and view the patient internally with a camera.
New Holding Tanks
Holding and quarantine areas for fishes, marine mammals, and birds are housed in the Molina Animal Care Center as well. The biggest tank at the Aquarium, a 40-foot diameter tank that holds 56,000 gallons of water, will open in spring 2011 and will provide critical holding space for the Aquarium’s sharks and larger animals. For new Aquarium arrivals, there are two rooms for animals undergoing the required quarantine. There is also a reptile room and holding cages for shorebirds and raptors.
State-Of-The-Art Treatment
The new treatment center offers unique insight into the world of aquatic veterinary care. It also showcases the Aquarium’s dedication to stewardship to its wide array of mammals, birds, reptiles, fishes, and invertebrates.
The Molina Animal Care Center reaches beyond the confines of a place to care for animals. In the spirit of interactive learning, it allows visitors to watch surgeries, animal examinations, and even interact with the Aquarium’s veterinary staff on occasion.
Each day a staff member will explain a live procedure or offer one of several educational shows. As guests pass the hospital viewing windows, the veterinarian could be working on an animal. Maybe a surgery on a fish will be in progress. Maybe an otter will be getting its teeth cleaned. Windows and overhead computer monitors will make it possible for everyone to see.
Interactive Kiosks
Two interactive kiosks offer a chance to delve deeper. One kiosk features stories of medical successes such as Aquarium veterinarian Dr. Lance Adams’ groundbreaking operation to repair the bill of the sawfish. The other kiosk presents a behind-the-scenes look at the duties of various team members. This video features interviews with an aquarist, a mammalogist, the veterinarian, a curator, a life support technician, an aviculturalist, and a volunteer.
Live Video Feeds for Children
The Aquarium is partnering with the Miller Children’s Hospital at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center for a new program. Children are able to watch live video feed of Aquarium staff working in the Molina Animal Care Center. This collaboration provides an opportunity for a young patient in the hospital to ask questions and talk directly to the veterinarian or other husbandry professional.
