SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Can a crocodile get a CT scan? While it might sound like the title of a children’s book, it was a real experience for a 61-year-old reptile at Utah’s Hogle Zoo.
In 2025, Bill, a Siamese crocodile at Utah’s Hogle Zoo, began experiencing health changes. His caretakers found he had a decreased appetite, was losing weight, and had some abdominal bloating. The zoo wanted a closer look at what was happening with his health, but it wasn’t an easy feat.
“This required a significant, highly coordinated effort, calling for expertise across the zoo and carrying inherent risks, particularly for a 400-pound, aging animal with a bite force exceeding 3,000 PSI,” Utah’s Hogle Zoo shared in a press release.
“I am proud of how safely and smoothly everyone worked together, and how positive the team remained throughout the process. Teamwork really makes the dream work for crocodilian catchups,” Meredith Salinas, Animal Care Supervisor of Herpetology at the zoo, is quoted.
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In early 2026, a team of 20 people used specialized tools and techniques to safely restrain Bill and transport him to the University of Utah Health radiology department for a CT scan on a custom-made platform. Upon arrival, he received a mild sedative under veterinary supervision…