For years, Gonzo the Southern tamandua has delighted audiences at the Wild Wonders Outdoor Theater with his calm demeanor, sweet personality, and unforgettable talent: slurping up delicious treats with his incredible 16-inch-long tongue. But earlier this year, something changed.

“We started noticing at his annual physical exam that Gonzo just wasn’t quite himself,” said Erica, one of Gonzo’s keepers. “He was moving slower, less active overall, and sleeping a lot more. Just showing signs of being an older tamandua.”

10-year-old Gonzo, now a senior among his species, was facing some age-related spinal degenerative issues common in older animals. He wasn’t climbing as much and became more sedentary overall.

That’s when the zoo’s veterinary team came up with an idea: a noninvasive therapy combining Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) and laser therapy.

“We thought he might be a great candidate for this kind of therapy,” said veterinary technician Julie. “Because Gonzo is usually so amenable to being around his keepers and vet staff, we decided to give it a try.”

PEMF therapy uses gentle electromagnetic pulses to stimulate activity at the cellular level, almost like waking up the body from the inside out. The laser therapy, applied first, activates and energizes the cells, helping reduce inflammation and promoting healing. Together, the therapies have a powerful one-two punch of benefits, and best of all, they’re completely noninvasive.

“The first couple of visits, we started noticing a marked difference in his behavior,” said Erica. “He’s become much more active and is acting like his younger self again.”

Over the summer, Gonzo blossomed. He started venturing out into his exercise yard more, climbing higher and more often.

“It’s the most climbing I’ve seen from him in a really long time,” said Erica. “And it’s just been so wonderful to see him doing normal tamandua behaviors again. We want him to feel as young as possible, for as long as possible.”

Whether he’s charming the crowd on stage, showing off that impressive tongue, or napping peacefully in a tree branch after a good climb, Gonzo reminds everyone that with the right care and a little modern science, age doesn’t have to slow you down. Gonzo is living his golden years exactly how he should: climbing high, slurping snacks, and inspiring guests.