If you have driven by or visited the Zoo recently, you may have noticed the caution tape streamers hanging from the fence surrounding our deer habitat. Last week, Zoo staff reintroduced our young white-tailed doe, Cauliflower, to our herd after she recovered from an illness. The caution tape highlights the fence line for these fast-moving herbivores, giving them a clearer visual of their boundaries. If a chase ensues, they will see the fence more distinctly and slow down or change direction to avoid a collision.
Cauliflower has been away from the herd for about six months. Late last summer, our animal care staff observed her showing signs of illness, and with the help of our contract veterinarians, we developed a treatment plan. Test results showed that she had Blue Tongue Disease (BTD). It is a viral infection that primarily affects ruminants and is transmitted through the bites of midges, with a mortality rate of up to 90%.
As Cauliflower recovered from the illness, it was observed that her hooves were delaminating (peeling off in layers) because of the fever event. Our team worked closely with veterinarians and consultants from the Zoo Hoof Trim Program to address this situation quickly. She was brought into the Cargill Wildcare Center for critical care and over six months, underwent two immobilizations to clean, trim, and glue her hooves, supporting new growth. She stayed in a clean, warm environment to allow her hooves to grow back correctly and to be monitored closely by staff and vets. During that time, she received special attention and was greatly enriched.
Thanks to the excellent care from our staff, veterinarians and hoof care consultants, Cauliflower has now made a full recovery. We are also pleased to report that she is getting reacquainted with the rest of the herd and is doing well being back in their outdoor habitat.
Stop by and visit Cauliflower and her friends in the Gateway to the Prairie Exhibit at the Hutchinson Zoo anytime between 10:00 a.m. and 4:45 p.m.