‘The tiger who came for CT’

Advanced CT Imaging Supporting Wildlife Care and Conservation at Banham Zoo

A vulture, a tiger, a sloth, and a meerkat don’t have much in common, but last week, they were all part of an amazing CT scanning day for our team. Watch the video above for a detailed insight into this ground-breaking day for the zoological teams at Banham Zoo, in Norfolk. 

Working alongside the zoo’s veterinary and animal care teams, our radiographers carried out advanced CT imaging across a wide range of species including ‘Mishka’, the Amur tiger, ‘Tana’, the cheetah, ‘Arlo’ the two-toed sloth and ‘Foster’ the Rüppell’s griffon vulture. Each scan was carefully planned and tailored to the individual needs of the animal.

By bringing our mobile CT scanner directly to Banham Zoo, imaging could take place in familiar surroundings, reducing the need for transportation and allowing the zoo’s animal care teams to remain closely involved throughout the day. Careful coordination between the veterinary staff, keepers and radiographer ensured the day ran smoothly, with animal welfare at the centre of every decision.

Across the day, CT scans supported both routine health checks and the investigation of specific clinical concerns, providing detailed insight that can be difficult to achieve through other diagnostic methods alone.

The visit has also been highlighted in coverage from the BBC, which noted how CT imaging supports not only individual health assessments, but also the wider conservation and species management work taking place within zoos. At Banham Zoo, early investigation, and ongoing monitoring form an important part of long-term care, where detailed information can make a meaningful difference over time.

Working alongside zoological veterinary professionals in this way is a hugely rewarding part of what we do, bringing together expertise to support the health and wellbeing of a diverse range of animals, while also contributing to ongoing conservation and species management.

You can read more about the day in the full BBC article.