Detroit Zoo Penguins Undergo Cataract Surgery

ROYAL OAK (WWJ) - "Frozen" it's not — but this chilly tale has a happy ending, too.

Two penguins are recovering at the Detroit Zoo after they underwent surgery Thursday to remove a couple of cataracts.

Dr. Gwen Sila of BluePearl Veterinary Partners in Southfield performed the successful procedure.

"The keepers had noticed the penguins were having a hard time seeing their fish when they were fed, were not swimming as much, and they could just tell that they, you know, were not very visual," Sila told WWJ Newsradio 950.

"The veterinarian at the zoo was able to get some funding to cover some of the supplies and equipment that's necessary for the surgery; but, yes, I did donate my time," she added.

Both Needles, a female macaroni penguin, and Bugs, a female rockhopper penguin, had surgery performed on both eyes.

"The benefit of this surgery is that Bugs and Needles will now have a better quality of life as they'll be able to see much more clearly," said Sila. "That will be important to help them acclimate to their new surroundings when they are moved to their new exhibit in the future."

Thursday evening, the 26 and 30-year old penguins were resting comfortably.

"They'll have to stay in isolation for the next couple weeks — we wanna keep them away from all the other birds and make sure that they don't get injured because the incisions are still healing," Sila said. "Then after the first couple weeks, as long as they're still doing well, they'll be able to be released back into their exhibit."

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