Jacksonville Zoo elephant donated by Michael Jackson gets mammoth root canal

Beth Reese Cravey, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union
Updated ·4 min read
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An international team of specialists recently performed complex dental surgery on an 11,000-pound African elephant at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, who came to Florida in 1997 from Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch.

The procedure was the third on 34-year-old Ali's infected right tusk, but this time the team removed the remaining portion of it, according to the zoo.

"Ali had previously undergone tusk procedures in 2019 and 2023, but due to the complex anatomy, the large tusk size and the anesthetic time constraints on such a large patient, a multi-phased treatment approach was required," according to the zoo. "With the remaining portion posing a risk of infection, pain and potential harm, the decision was made to conduct surgery once again in the hopes of removing it entirely to ensure the elephant's long-term health and wellbeing."

Ali's 3½-hour surgery involved specialists from as far away as South Africa and India, with 30 veterinarians and veterinary technicians monitoring Ali's vital signs and another 30 team members in other support roles.

Ali, a male African elephant at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, recently underwent complex surgery to remove an infected tusk. He is 34 and was donated to the zoo when he outgrew Michael Jacksonville's Neverland Ranch.
Ali, a male African elephant at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, recently underwent complex surgery to remove an infected tusk. He is 34 and was donated to the zoo when he outgrew Michael Jacksonville's Neverland Ranch.

"It took an entire crew of dedicated individuals to coordinate this intricate medical procedure for our largest animal at the zoo," said Corey Neatrour, the zoo's assistant curator of mammals. "It takes a village, and we could not have had such a successful surgery without the support of so many people. Ali’s story is a reminder of the tremendous efforts we make for animals in our care."

Most of his left tusk broke off 15 to 20 years ago, likely during play, but did not become infected or otherwise cause Ali any problems, according to zoo spokeswoman Emily Long.

Ali was one of the elephants owned by Michael Jackson

Ali was donated to the zoo by the pop music star because he had outgrown his home at Jackson's Neverland Ranch in Santa Barbara, Calif. The Jacksonville Zoo was recommended by a wildlife relocation expert, according to a Times-Union report.

Ali is now one of the zoo's three African elephants native to Africa south of the Sahara. They are considered endangered because of poaching for ivory and loss of habitat.

The zoo's other elephants are females Thandi and Sheena. Once fully recovered, Ali will rejoin them in the Elephant Plaza exhibit.

Ali, an African elephant at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, hangs out in his enclosure after a team of specialists removed his infected tusk.
Ali, an African elephant at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, hangs out in his enclosure after a team of specialists removed his infected tusk.

In 2018 Ali was in the news when he made an unauthorized zoo stroll. He walked out of his enclosure but stayed in a courtyard with other elephants and giraffes. No one was hurt and he was only out for 20 minutes, according to the Times-Union at the time.

A mammoth task

The procedure required "meticulous planning and coordination" by Meredith Persky, the zoo's director of animal health and a board-certified specialist in zoological medicine, and Sarah Block, senior veterinary technician. They spent six months arranging for proper medical supplies — the procedure required elongated dental tools and modified anesthetic equipment — and meeting other specific needs.

An international team of specialists removes an infected tusk on an elephant at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.
An international team of specialists removes an infected tusk on an elephant at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.

Also, Neatrour and his team of elephant care specialists conducted training sessions with Ali to prepare him, the zoo said.

Wildlife veterinarian Gerhard Steenkamp of South Africa was the dental surgeon, assisted by U.S. equine veterinary dentist Mike Lowder. Wildlife veterinarian Adrian Tordiffe of India led the anesthetic team. Also participating were anesthesiologist James Bailey of Jacksonville and zoo and wildlife consultant Jeff Zuba of California, who invented a ventilation unit to provide breathing support for large animals when placed under anesthesia.

Sixteen other veterinarians, eight veterinary technicians and the zoo's elephant care specialists also took part.

Zoo food: Jacksonville Zoo team caters to big appetites, picky eaters and discerning diners with claws

"We are beyond grateful and honored to have had virtually all the world’s experts in elephant anesthesia in attendance for this monumental procedure," Persky said. "Our incredible elephant care specialists and veterinary colleagues from around the world worked together flawlessly to provide the ivory tower of medicine for Ali."

Similar international teams were also assembled for the 2019 and 2023 procedures.

Specialists from as far away as South Africa and India gathered for a group photo at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, where they removed Ali the elephant's infected tusk. The crane behind them was used to help him to his feet after the procedure.
Specialists from as far away as South Africa and India gathered for a group photo at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, where they removed Ali the elephant's infected tusk. The crane behind them was used to help him to his feet after the procedure.

Founded in 2014, the Jacksonville Zoo now has about 2,000 rare and exotic animals and 1,000 species of plants, boasting the largest botanical garden in Northeast Florida. For more information go to jacksonvillezoo.org.

bcravey@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4109

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville elephant once owned by Michael Jackson gets tusk surgery