In brief
The Zoo and Aquarium Radiology Database aims to compile extensive medical imaging resources for the diagnosis and care of uncommon wildlife.
In the world of veterinary medicine, the knowledge gap regarding the anatomy of less-studied animal species can pose significant challenges, especially when it comes to diagnosing health issues in rare species like the black rhinoceros. Dr. Michael Adkesson, president and chief executive of Brookfield Zoo Chicago, reflects on this struggle, stating, “Radiologists are very comfortable with dogs, cats, horses, cows,” but when faced with a 2,300-pound critically endangered black rhino exhibiting troubling breathing problems, the process of obtaining a CT scan left them questioning what a healthy rhino’s anatomy actually looks like.To address this critical lack of reference data, Dr. Adkesson and fellow researchers recently launched the Zoo and Aquarium Radiology Database, unveiled last month. This innovative online platform, developed in collaboration with several zoological institutions, aims to house over 1,000 medical images, including X-rays and CT scans, for 50 different animal species. The collection currently features images of unique animals such as the greater roadrunner, cotton-top tamarin, and bowmouth guitarfish—also known as the shark ray.Looking towards the future, the initiative hopes to expand this database significantly, targeting a goal of accumulating more than 10,000 images of 500 species by 2026. This extensive resource will equip zoo and wildlife veterinarians with the comparative data they need to diagnose and treat a broader array of species more effectively. With every scan and image added, the database will not only enhance veterinary care for under-studied animals but also improve the overall health outcomes for critically endangered species.
