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Rhino Sees Clearly After Rare Eye Surgery
9 Jun
Summary
- A white rhino named Kendi regained sight after complex cataract surgery.
- Disney's costuming team designed a custom mask to aid her recovery.
- The procedure's learnings will be shared to help other rhinos.
A 27-year-old white rhino named Kendi at Disney's Animal Kingdom has successfully undergone a rare cataract surgery, restoring her sight. Veterinarians noted cloudiness in Kendi's right eye, a condition that could lead to blindness if untreated.
Performing such surgery on a rhino is highly complex due to their size. Disney veterinarians collaborated with an ophthalmologist from the University of Florida, adapting advanced techniques for Kendi. Years of preparation included training her to accept eye drops, crucial for her treatment and recovery.
Following the operation, Disney's costuming specialists created a custom protective mask. This mask took two years to design and shielded Kendi's healing eye while allowing for necessary post-operative care. Kendi has now returned to her habitat with improved vision.
White rhinos are considered near threatened in the wild. The veterinary team and their partners intend to share the insights gained from Kendi's surgery to aid conservation efforts for other rhinos.
