Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
One of our older male chimpanzees, Charlie, who’s estimated to be 53 years old has an incredible animal care and veterinary team that helps with pain management and comfort for a more senior chimpanzee.
For about nine years, Dr. Jessica Marziani, a Houston-area veterinarian, has been working with Houston Zoo and Charlie on providing acupuncture, massage therapy, and laser therapy to help manage his cervical spondylosis (bridging of the neck vertebrae that causes neck pain) and osteoarthritis of multiple joints. Some of Dr. Jessica Marziani’s therapies help strengthen the muscles around those joints and work on his flexibility, which ultimately also improves his mobility and comfort. Hear more from Keeper Heaven and Dr. Marziani in this month’s animal spotlight.
One of our older male chimpanzees, Charlie, who’s estimated to be 53 years old has an incredible animal care and veterinary team that helps with pain management and comfort for a more senior chimpanzee.
For about nine years, Dr. Jessica Marziani, a Houston-area veterinarian, has been working with Houston Zoo and Charlie on providing acupuncture, massage therapy, and laser therapy to help manage his cervical spondylosis (bridging of the neck vertebrae that causes neck pain) and osteoarthritis of multiple joints. Some of Dr. Jessica Marziani’s therapies help strengthen the muscles around those joints and work on his flexibility, which ultimately also improves his mobility and comfort. Hear more from Keeper Heaven and Dr. Marziani in this month’s animal spotlight.
