Tips and toes help prevent foot health woes
Werribee Open Range Zoo’s meerkat mob are putting their best feet forward with a little help from their keepers.
The five Slender-tailed meerkats have learned to step up to a custom-built device, called a podoscope, after receiving a restorative footbath.
African River Trail keeper Eliza Baker said monitoring the condition of the meerkats’ toe pads and webbing is important.
“Meerkats naturally like to live in habitats with an abundance of sand and rough substrates, which can be quite course and abrasive to their feet,” Ms Baker said. “They use their feet every single day to burrow or forage for food.
“The podoscope camera allows us to monitor the health of their paws, while the footbath is infused with an antiseptic to help clean and treat any abrasions.”
All training across Zoos Victoria’s properties is supported by positive reinforcement to help build an enduring and trusting bond between the keepers and individual animals.
Training behaviours, such as voluntary feet checks, help to substantially minimise stress and intervention during required veterinary procedures and routine healthcare.
All training across Zoos Victoria’s properties is supported by positive reinforcement to help build an enduring and trusting bond between the keepers and individual animals.
Likewise, maintaining choice and control for all animals is fundamental to the success of training programs. Each animal is provided with the choice to decide whether or not they would like to participate.
Ms Baker said there was one ingredient in particular that always improves participation during training sessions.
“Our meerkats are pretty food oriented. A handful of mealworms works wonders as positive reinforcement.”
Zoos Victoria and Werribee Open Range Zoo visitors are reminded that all tickets must be pre-booked online at zoo.org.au. Zoos Victoria Members no longer need to book but are required to scan their Membership card to gain entry.