Damaged lower jaws
Tooth wear in Loro Parque's orcas:
In Visser and Lisker's recent study (2016) they discuss tooth wear in all of Loro Parque's orcas. They found that for all the orcas 'between 41.66% and 75%' of their lower jaw teeth were 'moderately or severely' damaged'
The orca with the most severe tooth damage was Morgan with 66.66% (8) of the teeth on the left side of her lower jaw showing signs of damage whilst 75% (9) of the teeth on the right side of her lower jaw also showed extensive wear. This contradicts a report by Greenwood 7 months prior which claimed only 7 of the teeth in the whole of her lower jaw (both left and right) were damaged. Either the majority of Morgan's current tooth wear occurred during this 7 month period or Greenwood's report is inaccurate. This extensive damage has occurred over a relatively short time frame (5 years) considering orcas have only one set of teeth that is supposed to last them for life and Morgan is only 9.
Shockingly, the youngest orca at Loro Parque Adan (who was only 5 years and 6 months old when the study was conducted in April this year) already has 50% of his teeth on both the left and right sides of his lower jaw damaged.
Visser and Lisker found that 'the other five orca have had at least 14 teeth drilled and at least 15 teeth have broken' previously.
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Caption: @liberate_cetaceans (Instagram)
In Visser and Lisker's recent study (2016) they discuss tooth wear in all of Loro Parque's orcas. They found that for all the orcas 'between 41.66% and 75%' of their lower jaw teeth were 'moderately or severely' damaged'
The orca with the most severe tooth damage was Morgan with 66.66% (8) of the teeth on the left side of her lower jaw showing signs of damage whilst 75% (9) of the teeth on the right side of her lower jaw also showed extensive wear. This contradicts a report by Greenwood 7 months prior which claimed only 7 of the teeth in the whole of her lower jaw (both left and right) were damaged. Either the majority of Morgan's current tooth wear occurred during this 7 month period or Greenwood's report is inaccurate. This extensive damage has occurred over a relatively short time frame (5 years) considering orcas have only one set of teeth that is supposed to last them for life and Morgan is only 9.
Shockingly, the youngest orca at Loro Parque Adan (who was only 5 years and 6 months old when the study was conducted in April this year) already has 50% of his teeth on both the left and right sides of his lower jaw damaged.
Visser and Lisker found that 'the other five orca have had at least 14 teeth drilled and at least 15 teeth have broken' previously.
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Caption: @liberate_cetaceans (Instagram)
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