Tyler, Texas – Caldwell Zoo’s resident Chilean flamingo, Queenie, is making a steady recovery after a soft‑tissue injury to his ankle joint was treated with a custom‑built orthopedic brace. The bird, nine years old, was startled on exhibit in 2021, ran away from the flock and tore ligaments in his ankle.
How the injury was discovered
Bird Department Supervisor Nichole Moore explained that keepers first noticed Queenie lagging behind the other flamingos. “He sustained this injury on exhibit. We saw him lagging behind his flock,” Moore said. Because flamingos rely heavily on both legs for walking, feeding and bathing, a prompt assessment was essential.
Custom solution from a human orthopedist
Traditional veterinary treatments did not fully resolve the problem, so the zoo turned to Ben Guenther, an orthopedist who normally designs braces and prosthetics for people. Guenther crafted a lightweight brace that supports the damaged joint while allowing natural movement. Moore praised the collaboration: “This was the best opportunity for him because we would be able to put a brace on him and work with him and make sure it would really work so he would be able to live a really long life.”
Why leg health matters for flamingos
Flamingos use their long legs not only for locomotion but also to stir up sediment while feeding, filtering water for tiny organisms. “It is really important for us to be quick when assessing injuries, especially on long‑legged birds like this, they utilize their feet quite a bit when they’re moving around,” Moore said. “They also use their feet to kind of stir up the food, to really like move things around for them to filter through.” Proper leg function is therefore critical to a flamingo’s overall health and longevity; Chilean flamingos can live into their 60s.
Progress and ongoing care
Moore reported that Queenie has adapted well to the brace. “Now that he’s quite used to it, we see such a change in him. He puts full weight on that leg. He’s around with the rest of the flock. He’s taking baths with the flock and running around,” she said. The brace will remain on Queenie for life, with weekly checks for swelling or irritation to ensure comfort.
Looking ahead
While there is no set timeline for when Queenie will be fully reintegrated with the flock, zoo staff are optimistic that the brace will allow him to resume normal activities. The successful partnership between Caldwell Zoo and an experienced orthopedist highlights the value of community resources coming together to care for local wildlife.
Residents of Tyler and surrounding East Texas areas can continue to enjoy watching Queenie and his companions at the zoo, a beloved attraction that supports both education and conservation.
Original reporting: KFYR-TV Bismarck (news) — read the source article.
