boston (WBZ News Radio) — Even with feathers and beaks, growing old is hard.
Just ask Peko, an elderly African penguin born and raised at the New England Aquarium. Piko is 30 years old, which is three times the average lifespan of an African penguin in its natural environment.
The aquarium said the old bird showed signs of old age, including an unusual posture when standing and walking, which experts say could be a sign of osteoarthritis or degenerative spinal disease. . Symptoms will worsen if your peaco gains weight during molting and regrowing its feathers.
“As with humans, weight management is important in managing pain associated with arthritis and spinal disease in animals,” said Dr. Melissa Joblon, the aquarium’s director of animal health, in a blog post. “However, African penguins like Piko can double their weight during molting, which puts additional stress on their spines and joints.”
To alleviate some of Peko’s symptoms and speed up the healing process, the aquarium brought in Dr. Claire McManus, a licensed acupuncturist who has treated both humans and animals for more than 20 years.
“Acupuncture is used in areas where the muscles are tight, so it can increase blood circulation to the muscle tissue,” McManus said. “It’s used to reduce inflammation and to open up the fascia, which is connective tissue.”
McManus has been treating Peco over the past 18 months, using needles as thin as 10 to 14 hairs to penetrate his body. During the 15-minute procedure, Peko calmed down and relaxed in the handlers’ hands, even grooming himself and his handlers.
Aquarium staff said that within weeks of receiving acupuncture treatment, Peaco appeared more alert and active in his habitat, walked better and had an increased appetite.
“After adding acupuncture to his treatment plan, Peco’s general condition and mobility did show signs of improvement,” Jobron said. “It is extremely rewarding to see the quality of life of elderly patients improve after these treatments.”
Peko isn’t the only penguin to receive acupuncture treatment at the New England Aquarium. McManus also treated Deko, a penguin who died last summer at the age of 41.
“When you look at the penguins, you can see that they enjoy acupuncture. It’s so much fun to work with these animals,” McManus said.
With older penguins, the aquarium also works with Dr. McManus to provide rehabilitation acupuncture for sea turtles at the Sea Turtle Hospital in Quincy. Acupuncture was used to treat musculoskeletal injuries and gastrointestinal disorders in turtles.
