Bino, the albino alligator, receives acupuncture treatment in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (AP Photo/Ana Pereira)
Bino's back was killing him. He was suffering from scoliosis. He couldn't move his legs, two of them anyway, and his tail just wouldn't swish.
What's an albino alligator in that sort of health bind to do? Acupuncture, of course.
Bino the albino alligator lives at the Sao Paulo Aquarium, where he's been since 2007. Veterinarians say he was born eight years ago with his ailments, and nothing seemed to alleviate them.
So, in early 2011 veterinarians decided to see if acupuncture might help Bino, as it has other beasts living at the aquarium.
"The acupuncture will ... alleviate his pain and keep all his vital functions going,'' said Rafael Gutierrez, a biologist at the aquarium of Sao Paulo, adding that the 30-minute weekly treatments would continue indefinitely, as long as they kept showing solid results.
Acupuncture on animals is becoming increasingly common around the globe, the biologists at the Sao Paulo aquarium said, especially with pets such as cats, dogs and horses.
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