At first glance, Jabali’s smile might catch your eye. A flash of metallic gold glints in the South Australian sun. But behind that distinctive feature is a story of resilience, veterinary precision, and the care that ensures every animal at Monarto Safari Park has the best chance to thrive.

An early injury with lasting impact

Jabali, a three-year-old Spotted Hyena, has not had a typical start to life. When he was just four months old, he was bitten on the muzzle by another hyena. The incident caused significant trauma to the top of his nose and jaw. While he recovered at the time, the injury left a lasting impact.

As Jabali grew, his keepers and veterinary team began to notice changes.

“The injury caused deformities in his muzzle, and over time it became clear that his top and bottom jaws were not developing as they should,” said Zoos SA veterinarian Dr Oliver Funnell.

Rather than intervening too early, the team made a careful decision to wait until Jabali had reached skeletal maturity. This allowed them to fully understand how the injury would affect his teeth and jaw function long term.

Specialist care and a detailed diagnosis

Once fully grown, Jabali was referred to veterinary dental specialist Dr Kirsten at the Australian Veterinary Dental and Oral Surgery. There, he underwent a detailed assessment, including a full head CT scan.

The scan revealed the extent of the earlier damage.

“There were multiple dental abnormalities,” Dr Funnell said. “Some teeth needed to be removed, while others required reshaping so his mouth could function properly.”

One tooth, however, presented an opportunity. A damaged upper premolar had lost all its enamel but could still be saved.

Crafting a custom gold crown

Instead of removing the tooth, the team chose to restore it.

Using moulds of the tooth, a custom metal alloy crown was created. Jabali then returned to the dental team, where the crown was fitted, restoring structure and function to the compromised tooth.

The result is a strong, functional bite and a very distinctive golden grin.

“It looks gold when it catches the light, especially when he’s eating,” Dr Funnell said. “But more importantly, it allows him to use his mouth properly.”

Why strong teeth matter for hyenas

For a species like the Spotted Hyena, dental strength is essential. Hyenas are built to bite and crunch bone, which forms a key part of their diet. Being able to process bone properly supports both nutrition and natural behaviour.

Thanks to the combined efforts of veterinary and dental specialists, Jabali can now feed and chew effectively.

His jaw alignment is still slightly unusual due to the early injury, but careful adjustments to his teeth, including the crown, have ensured his mouth works as well as possible.

“He does have a distinctive smile,” Dr Funnell said. “But functionally, he is in a really good place.”

Ongoing care for a thriving future

Jabali will continue to be monitored more closely than other hyenas as he ages. His teeth may wear differently, and regular checks will help the team stay ahead of any changes.

For the team at Monarto Safari Park, his journey highlights the role of specialised veterinary care in modern zoos.

Every animal is an individual. In Jabali’s case, that meant patience, collaboration, and innovation to give him the best possible outcome.

Today, he is thriving, with a story that shines just as brightly as his golden smile.