Why giant tortoises needed an equine CT scanner in the UK

demoduck.co.uk editorial team 2026-08-03 16:08 3 min read

An artistic representation of a turtle skeleton, reflecting a diagnostic CT scan result.

Mike and Biggy, two Aldabra giant tortoises from Jersey Zoo, had to be carefully handled and sedated before entering the 90cm opening of an equine CT scanner at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC). The unusual equipment choice allowed veterinary specialists to investigate two very different health concerns in animals whose sheer size limits conventional diagnostic options.

The RVC published details of the procedure on 3 August 2026. Its Exotics Clinical Service worked with colleagues from the equine and anaesthesia teams throughout the scans.

A limp and a lump prompted the specialist examinations

Mike, aged 27, was brought to the RVC after developing lameness in a front leg. Biggy, who is believed to be more than 80 years old, required investigation of a lump found near the base of his tail.

Both animals needed detailed imaging so that Jersey Zoo’s veterinary team could understand what was happening beneath their shells and plan appropriate care. CT scans can provide information that is difficult or impossible to obtain through conventional diagnostic techniques, but few scanners can accommodate animals of this scale.

Transporting Mike and Biggy from Jersey Zoo was itself a significant undertaking, according to Senior Veterinary Officer Violaine Colon. The journey was arranged because the scans could provide information needed for targeted treatment and longer-term management.

Their size required an equine CT scanner

Aldabra giant tortoises are among the world’s largest tortoise species. They can weigh as much as 150kg and live for more than a century, creating unusual handling and imaging challenges when they need specialist veterinary care.

The RVC used its equine scanner because its 90cm bore could accommodate the tortoises and capture a broader range of body areas. It is one of only two CT scanners in the UK capable of taking animals of this size.

Members of the exotic and equine clinical teams managed the tortoises during the procedure. A specialist anaesthetist from the RVC’s Small Animal Referrals Hospital ensured that Mike and Biggy were properly sedated while the images were taken.

Dr Jo Hedley, head of the RVC’s Exotics Clinical Service and a senior lecturer in exotic animal medicine and surgery, said the larger scanner enabled faster and more detailed imaging. Its dimensions also made managing the two unusually large patients easier during the examinations.

Mike’s scan identified arthritis in his shoulder

Mike was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in his right shoulder. The finding gives Jersey Zoo’s veterinary team a defined cause for his lameness and allows it to prepare a targeted treatment and long-term management plan intended to support his comfort and mobility.

Biggy’s case remains unresolved. Specialists are continuing to assess his more complex scan, and the RVC has not reported a diagnosis for the lump near his tail. That distinction matters: Mike has a confirmed finding, while Biggy’s images are still being interpreted.

Findings could inform care for other giant tortoises

The information gathered from both scans will contribute to the veterinary care and husbandry of Aldabra giant tortoises through the European Endangered Species Programme. Cases involving animals of this size are uncommon because suitable imaging facilities remain rare.

The species also forms part of Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust’s restoration work in Mauritius. There, giant tortoises help shape island ecosystems by grazing vegetation and dispersing native seeds.

Jersey Zoo can now begin targeted management for Mike. For Biggy, the next confirmed step is the completion of the specialist assessment of his CT scan.

Source: Royal Veterinary College News

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This report is based on information published by the Royal Veterinary College on 3 August 2026.

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The tortoises’ names, estimated ages and reasons for imaging were matched to the RVC accou...
Mike’s confirmed arthritis diagnosis was separated from Biggy’s pending scan interpretatio...
The scanner’s 90cm bore and its stated UK availability were checked against the source.
Clinical roles were attributed to the RVC, Jersey Zoo and the named veterinary specialists...

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