A 30-year-old African penguin at the New England Aquarium in Boston recently underwent acupuncture treatment for a “spinal disorder,” according to a March 7 press release from the aquarium.
An image taken by staff shows Peko, a female penguin, undergoing treatment in early February.
The average lifespan of an African penguin in the wild is about 10 years, so Peko “triples the average lifespan of an African penguin in its natural environment” and is “considered an elderly bird,” the aquarium said.
“Like older human patients, Peco shows signs of aging, including abnormal posture when standing and walking, which is often a sign of osteoarthritis or degenerative spinal disease.” The researchers continued.
As with humans, treatment options for birds with degenerative spinal disease typically rely on pain medications and physical therapy. Adding alternative treatments such as acupuncture and laser therapy can improve comfort levels and speed recovery,” said Dr. Melissa Jobron, the aquarium’s director of animal health.
The acupuncture treatment was administered by Dr. Claire McManus, a regular volunteer at the aquarium, who said, “Because acupuncture is used in areas of muscle stiffness, it increases blood circulation to the muscle tissue and reduces inflammation.” It can be alleviated.”
Credit: New England Aquarium via Storyful
