Not every day do you see a lion checking into an El Paso hospital, but that’s exactly what happened last week when Hodari, the El Paso Zoo’s seven-year-old African lion, needed some advanced medical care. The big cat was showing signs of lethargy and tenderness while walking, and his care team decided it was time for a closer look.
After running tests at the zoo, the vets concluded that only an MRI could give them the full picture of what was going on with Hodari’s spine and neck. Easier said than done, after all, MRI machines aren’t exactly designed with “lion-sized” patients in mind.
An Unusual Patient at Providence
Hodari was carefully transported to The Hospitals of Providence Memorial Campus under sedation, making him one of the most unusual patients the facility has ever seen. Because MRI rooms don’t allow metal, Hodari couldn’t use his usual anesthesia setup. Instead, the veterinary team monitored him closely with injected medication, keeping an eye out for any twitch or blink that might mean the king of the jungle was waking up mid-scan.
“We are incredibly grateful to The Hospitals of Providence for providing the resources and support needed to perform Hodari’s MRI,” said Zoo Director Joe Montisano. “The team there was exceptional in coordinating the logistics safely. We are pleased to report that Hodari is doing well.”…