UK’s Supervet in South Africa: helps build world’s first rhino prosthetic foot & treats tiger
The UK’s favourite vet, The Supervet – Professor Noel Fitzpatrick – visited South Africa for his latest TV show to perform procedures rarely undertaken on wild animals, including building a prosthetic foot for one of SA’s beloved rhino orphans, Kolisi. It is believed to be the world’s first prosthetic foot for a rhino. Kolisi was […]
The UK’s favourite vet, The Supervet – Professor Noel Fitzpatrick – visited South Africa for his latest TV show to perform procedures rarely undertaken on wild animals, including building a prosthetic foot for one of SA’s beloved rhino orphans, Kolisi. It is believed to be the world’s first prosthetic foot for a rhino.
Kolisi was taken in by The Rhino Orphanage in SA in December 2019 when he was three-months old, after he had been attacked by hyenas. One of his many injuries included severe damage to his right back. foot. About 40% of the tissues had been destroyed and one of his toes bitten off. During the last three years he had been fitted with boots and braces to help him. But now, according to The Supervet’s site, Noel helped to design and build the world’s first prosthetic foot for the species.
Noel announced the news of his trip to SA on social media, saying: “Excited to finally share with you the story of what I got up to last summer in South Africa in The Supervet Safari Special…”
According to The Supervet’s website, Noel swapped his specialist Surrey practice for the sunny bush in South Africa, in order to tend to endangered rhino, and improve life for two big cats by performing procedures “rarely, if ever, provided for wild animals before”. (In the UK, where Noel has 30 years experience, he is renowned for his innovation in orthopaedics and neurosurgery for small animals.)
The much loved supervet says:
“Having the opportunity to travel to South Africa and spend time with the magnificent animals of the savannah and the wonderful selfless people who dedicate their lives to looking after them – often in very difficult circumstances, including illegal poaching and conflict – was truly life-changing. I found the dedication, compassion and clinical skill of the veterinary professionals I met profoundly inspirational.
“What I experienced was eye-opening to the immense challenges and responsibility we have as humankind to step up and look after these incredible animals who are intrinsic to our legacy on planet earth.”
Noel’s trip to SA including visiting wildlife reserves, animal orphanages and sanctuaries, and treating animals who had been neglected or exploited in some way.
According to The Supervet website, Noel’s patients in South Africa include:
- orphaned rhino, Kolisi (info above);
- another rhino, massive 21.5 tonne Bruno who has an anti-poacher tracker inserted in his horn so he can be traced at his home on a game reserve;
- lame tiger, Laziz, rescued from a private zoo who receives a world first procedure for a big cat when Noel performs an arthroscopy in an effort to relieve the crushing pain of arthritis; and
- a lion, Rici, originally kept as a pet, whose front legs are deformed because of inbreeding and a life in captivity, who receives a cutting edge procedure to try to reduce his pain.
SA expat Ronel van Zyl, who lives in London, told SAPeople that Noel is “the best loved VET in the UK. Can’t wait to see this!”
You can watch The Supervet Safari Special on Thursday 23rd February 2023 at 9pm on Channel 4