Adder undergoes surgery for successful birth

A snake in Jersey's zoo had to undergo surgery so its unfertilised eggs could be born.

Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust said two adders had given birth - rather than laying eggs like other snakes - with the assistance of some staff members.

The trust said it used early ultrasounds and veterinary care so its teams could closely monitor both pregnancies. Adders are considered a protected species and a study believes they could disappear from the British countryside by 2032.

It said as one of the pregnancies progressed, the female required surgery to "safely remove some unfertilised eggs, also known as slugs, to protect mum and her babies".

Head of veterinary services at Jersey Zoo, Dr Nic Masters, said the coeliotomy, which is a surgical incision into the abdominal cavity under general anaesthesia, was successful.

He said: "It's a wonderful outcome and a testament to the expertise, care and teamwork of our veterinary and herpetology teams, who supported both mums throughout their pregnancies and helped ensure the best possible result for them and their snakelets.

"Both mums and their young are doing well - by identifying their pregnancies early through ultrasound, we were able to monitor them closely, respond quickly when one of them needed surgery, and give the snakelets the strongest possible start."

The trust said as the snakes were venomous, the herpetology team "ensured that there was safe handling throughout the procedure".

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