San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Performs First-Ever C-Section For North American Porcupine

SAN DIEGO, CA — San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance veterinarians performed the first-ever cesarean section birth for a North American porcupine, the nonprofit conservation organization announced Tuesday.

The procedure saved both the mother, Maizey, and her baby boy, zoo officials said.

"This landmark procedure highlights the critical role that our veterinary teams play in species conservation, not just in emergencies, but as part of a legacy of leadership in wildlife care," said Greg Vicino, vice president of wildlife care with San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. "The success of Maizey's C-section is another example of our veterinarians' unwavering commitment to preserving the health and longevity of wildlife."

Maizey has served as a wildlife ambassador for years.

Her pregnancy was monitored by wildlife care specialists at the Denny Sanford Wildlife Explorers Basecamp at the San Diego Zoo. The team conducted voluntary radiographs and veterinary examinations, and eventually decided to proceed with a C-section.

Wildlife care specialists hand-reared the porcupette while Maizey recovered from surgery.

"This groundbreaking surgery emphasizes the integral role of expert veterinary medical care in zoological facilities and highlights the advantages of innovative approaches to save species in need of conservation," said Dr. Michele Goodman, director of animal care with Elmwood Park Zoo and veterinary advisor for the North American porcupine Species Survival Plan. "For the North American porcupine, this procedure represents a significant step forward to improve long-term survival rates and contributes to broader conservation efforts aimed at securing its future in the wild."

Both Maizey and her baby are in good health, zoo officials said.