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Elderly African penguin flourishing after acupuncture treatments
“Peeko” the penguin may only be 30, but she's tripled her life expectancy for her species—and living that long usually comes with a bad back.
A geriatric penguin is enjoying her golden years at the New England Aquarium thanks to acupuncture treatments.
“Peeko” is a 30-year-old African penguin who was born and raised at the aquarium. She has tripled the life expectancy of her species in their native environment, and much like humans who have gotten up in age, Peeko suffers from a bad back.
As with an elderly human patient, Peeko was showing signs of her advanced age, including abnormal posturing when standing and walking, which vets say signals osteoarthritis or degenerative spinal disease.
Once aquarium staff noticed Peeko’s discomfort, they worked with an acupuncturist to offer relief. Acupuncture treatment targets areas of muscle tightness to decrease inflammation and boost circulation. The bird is now showing signs of improvement; she’s more agile and active, and walking, swimming, and eating better.
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Dr. Claire McManus, a licensed acupuncturist with more than two decades of experience working on both humans and animals, volunteered to treat the penguin twice over the past 18 months following her annual molt. African penguins can put on twice as much weight when they molt, causing more aches and pains.
During the 15-minute acupuncture procedures, McManus used a dozen hair-thin needles on Peeko as a trainer held her.
“When working with animals, we first want to consider how we can treat them with the least amount of stress as possible. We’re trying to use the fewest needles for the biggest impact,” McManus said.
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The staff soon noticed the bird relaxing — she began preening herself and her trainers.
“You can really tell with the penguins that they’re enjoying the acupuncture. It’s a joy to work with these animals,” said McManus, who has previously treated dogs, warthogs, donkeys, and camels.
Peeko isn’t the first penguin to get acupuncture at the aquarium. Deco, who passed away last summer at the age of 41, had also received the treatment.
McManus has also given acupuncture treatment to rehabilitating sea turtles at the aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital in Quincy. The turtles are rescued with serious medical conditions, like bone infections, fractures, sepsis, and pneumonia. The aquarium said the acupuncture has helped treat the animals’ musculoskeletal injuries and gastrointestinal disorders.
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