Ten-foot crocodile gets four metal plates and 41 screws in his head

[neoprodigy]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1162970/Meet-Robo-Croc-Ten-foot-crocodile-gets-metal-plates-41-screws-head-reconstructive-surgery.html

[yhbae]

Ouches! I hope crocs don't have too much nerve cells in their mouth...

[msjinkzd]

That is amazing

[bettagurl]

Very cool, I hope he makes a full recovery.
I love seeing people care for animals that aren't cute and cuddly, they deserve to live as much as a bichon.

[jpappy789]

wowzers!

[BreezeRuehls]

Wow, he got to use all his tools that day

[Fish-Addict]

Cool! Was he put to sleep for the operation or awake?

[sed03f]

wow, I hope he eats again soon. and i hope he is now a permanent zoo resident. There are so many alligators here in Florida. I am really glad that they dont allow certain sizes to live wild. There are just not enough room for them in town. Maybe in the everglades though....These things like pet doggies:(

[Slappy*McFish]

Cool! Was he put to sleep for the operation or awake?
You're kidding right?
lol

[excuzzzeme]

One question - why?

If he is in that bad of shape that he may not survive, why put it through the trauma of the surgery? Does the Vet need practice? Is the crocodile in danger of extinction? Is it more needful to perform free care on an animal than a human? Since we can give away billions to the thieves that get outrageous, undeserved bonus', I guess a couple thousand on a protected species won't really matter and is actually going to a better cause.

[bettagurl]

One question - why?

If he is in that bad of shape that he may not survive, why put it through the trauma of the surgery? Does the Vet need practice? Is the crocodile in danger of extinction? Is it more needful to perform free care on an animal than a human? Since we can give away billions to the thieves that get outrageous, undeserved bonus', I guess a couple thousand on a protected species won't really matter and is actually going to a better cause.

*cough* A life is a life. Just because there are not 300 of them left, doesn't mean he should die.
I don't see how it is a waste no matter what species or how common they are.
Dogs are so over-populated it is cruel, yet we spend $1000's on vet bills for them. Humans are also overpopulated, but heck, we spend thousands on plastic surgery, much less life-saving surgeries.
I applaud the vet, whether for practice or not, he probably saved that fabulous guy.

We all have a right to live out our allotted years.

[bettagurl]

Know that I am not implying you believe otherwise, Ex.

[bitbot]

Okay, but you could probably save a number of human lives with the resources used in looking after that crocodile.

[Death Pony]

American crocs are extremely endangered! Every single one counts.

That looks extremely painful! I'm glad they saved him.

[bettagurl]

And good point, they are very endangered!
I was thinking Gators.

[Star_Rider]

I would not say they are Extremely endangered.
they are on the endangered list tho.

American crocs live mostly in central and northern parts of South America.
they are also found in Mexico, last i heard in the thousands.

they are more rare in North America as they are not tolerant of the cooler conditions found in North America, unlike the Gator which is pretty tolerant of cooler waters.(read 45f)

while they live in some numbers in Florida they are in competition with the alligator. Luckily the everglades can support a healthy population of both.
the croc is larger, more powerful and more tolerant of salt water.again the limiting factor which helps the gators is the cooler water temps.

[Turbosaurus]

I also wonder why they did it. I understand they are endangered, but to leave a crocodile with a broken crushed head and jaw to languish for 3 months, then put him through this surgery? I wonder if it wouldn't have been more humane to stop his suffering. I wish him well, and I hope he experiences a full recovery.

I think of setting broken bones, and I am not sure how crocodiles bones heal, but why wait three months? Why not decide when the animal arrives run over- make every effort then to provide medial treatment or put him out of his misery. This story makes me very sad. I hope that someday it will have a happy ending. He is not out of the woods yet.

[bettagurl]

I also wonder why they did it. I understand they are endangered, but to leave a crocodile with a broken crushed head and jaw to languish for 3 months, then put him through this surgery? I wonder if it wouldn't have been more humane to stop his suffering. I wish him well, and I hope he experiences a full recovery.

I think of setting broken bones, and I am not sure how crocodiles bones heal, but why wait three months? Why not decide when the animal arrives run over- make every effort then to provide medial treatment or put him out of his misery. This story makes me very sad. I hope that someday it will have a happy ending. He is not out of the woods yet.

I do not understand why they'd wait that long, but to me, I'd rather go through that than relinquish my life. It is all we have,
It's all that guy had.

I do not like how everyone turns to euthanizing, especially when it can be saved. I go great lengths to help any animal who needs it, No matter the size or attitude.

[Riiz]

Did anyone see if those Erector set pieces come off, once the bone is healed or is it a lifelong thing?

[Star_Rider]

I do not understand why they'd wait that long, but to me, I'd rather go through that than relinquish my life. It is all we have,
It's all that guy had.

I do not like how everyone turns to euthanizing, especially when it can be saved. I go great lengths to help any animal who needs it, No matter the size or attitude.


sometimes it boils down to economics. the cost benefit ratio.

but euthanasia is a matter of personal choice. and is a knife that can cut both ways.

[lindsey crashed]

Okay, but you could probably save a number of human lives with the resources used in looking after that crocodile.


*gasp*

what makes his life any less worth another..?!
these were veterinarians that saved this croc... not people doctors...

this story made me happy and i wish him a full recovery and hope his quality of life can now start to improve...

[Dwarf Puffers]

Okay, but you could probably save a number of human lives with the resources used in looking after that crocodile.


More likely a fiftieth of a human life. I'm guessing less than 2000$ of supplies went into that crocodile. Taking a risk, I'd say MUCH less than 2000$.

[bitbot]

*gasp*

what makes his life any less worth another..?!
these were veterinarians that saved this croc... not people doctors...

this story made me happy and i wish him a full recovery and hope his quality of life can now start to improve...

I didn't say that the crocodile's life was "less worth another".


More likely a fiftieth of a human life. I'm guessing less than 2000$ of supplies went into that crocodile. Taking a risk, I'd say MUCH less than 2000$.

Well I wonder how much it would cost; factoring in a surgical team, operating theatre, any materials used in the surgery, wear and tear on the electric drill (!), plus the sort of care and follow up that Robo-Croc would need while recovering from the surgery...

You can easily pay thousands in veterinary bills for ordinary pets that require surgery.

And $2000 goes a very long way in some parts of the world.

[BreezeRuehls]

Really? Arguments over this? I think it fall into the category of whats done is done, and no ones opinion is gonna count for :swear:. So really why are we fighting about it? Unless your the vet who did it, or the dude who tired it, nothing anyone says its gonna change it. If you think its not right to let it live, go down there and shoot it, if not, donate your money to care for it, otherwise, move on........:lipssealedsmilie::lipssealedsmilie::lip ssealedsmilie::lipssealedsmilie:

[bitbot]

But I like arguing...
:raspberry:

[BreezeRuehls]

lol, me too!

[Dwarf Puffers]

But I like arguing...
:raspberry:


lol, me too!

I admit it, so do I :D


Well I wonder how much it would cost; factoring in a surgical team, operating theatre, any materials used in the surgery, wear and tear on the electric drill (!), plus the sort of care and follow up that Robo-Croc would need while recovering from the surgery...

You can easily pay thousands in veterinary bills for ordinary pets that require surgery.

And $2000 goes a very long way in some parts of the world.

Surgical team? I don't think they're getting paid, like they would if the croc belonged to someone. The cost certainly would go up by thousands if somebody was paying them, though. My vet friend charges less than any in the province to my knowledge, and it's still a hefty sum.
I doubt the drill got much damage to it, and if it did, I certainly doubt it'd cost a lot to repair a drill. At least, a regular drill.
Vets usually have their own "operating theatres", but I wouldn't know what they spent on plates, gas (or injections), screws, etc.
The recovery cost, though, I can see your point there. Feeding and removal of plates would be another surgery altogether.


2000$ may go a long way in some parts of the world, but you'd spend more than that going over there to help the poor orphans and sickly children. There are many organisations helping children in foreign countries get food, vaccinations, and even education. Not so many for animals (animals combined? Maybe. But not for one species, as humans are one species).

[evelyn80]

mabye he can be robo cops sidekick :p:

[cam191919]

ehh, there is enough humans. i can only dream that one day i can walk in a swamp and show my children this extraordinary creature...

[bitbot]

I was joking about the drill.