Specialist dental treatment for elephants at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm

An African elephant at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm in North Somerset has received specialist dental treatment to protect his tusk - with a world-renowned dentist called in for the job - showing how specialist care is key to modern zoo conservation.

Keepers recently spotted a small hole in the tip of Uli’s tusk during his daily health checks. To prevent further damage and protect his long-term tusk health, the Zoo enlisted the expertise of specialist wildlife dentist Peter Kertesz of Zoo Dent – An internationally recognised consultant who has treated everything from lions to dolphins!

Head Elephant Keeper, Tom Lindley, explained, “Tusk health is vital for elephants, and we’re proud of the trust Uli has built with us since he arrived at the Zoo last year. That trust allows us to carry out this kind of important care calmly and safely. His welfare is always our highest priority, by taking preventative measures and treating potential issues early, we can avoid more serious problems further down the line.”

The treatment involved carefully drilling and cleaning the tusk before filling it with a strong resin. Thanks to daily protected contact training, Uli calmly co-operated with his keepers while Kertesz worked on his tusk and he was rewarded with bananas and cabbage - two of his favourite foods.

Peter Kertesz, from Zoo Dent, said, “Everything went extremely well. We started by smoothing the tusk down, and we then looked inside to make sure we were onto healthy dentine, the substance that makes up most of the tusk and is commonly known as ivory. We then filled it with some plastic material so no dirt can get in. It will now be fine for years.

Kertesz continued, “I was impressed with the exceptionally high standards at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, and the care given to the elephants by the keepers. The high level of training made it possible for me to carry out my work safely with Uli’s co-operation, and it also meant there was no need for Uli to be sedated during procedures of this type.”

The dental team also checked on Janu, an older bull in the group, who recently snapped a tusk during a playful tussle with another elephant. To protect the damaged tusk, Kertesz worked with the keepers to test specialist tools and agree on the best long-term care plan. By keeping the tusk smoothed and sealed, the team can prevent further damage and safeguard Janu’s dental health for years to come.

Uli and Janu are part of Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm’s bachelor group of African elephants. Their 20-acre habitat - the largest of its kind in the UK and Northern Europe - has been purpose-built to the highest welfare standards, ensuring the elephants receive the best possible care while also helping educate visitors about the pressures facing their wild counterparts.

Dental and veterinary treatment is a key part of this commitment. By protecting the health of elephants like Uli and Janu, zoos ensure they can continue to thrive as ambassadors for their species, raising awareness of threats such as poaching and habitat loss and contributing to long-term conservation efforts.