Gorilla weighing 210 kilograms airlifted from Johannesburg zoo for medical examination

A gorilla weighing 210 kilograms was recently airlifted from its enclosure in a South African zoo so that it could be flown to a hospital for a CT scan and full medical examination. According to an international media outlet, Makokou, a 34-year-old western lowland gorilla from Johannesburg Zoo had been suffering from a chronic nasal discharge and he was t responding to regular medical treatment. 

While taking to Facebook, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Onderstepoort, informed that Makokou since December 2019 had developed a discharge from his se. With recurrence of symptoms, doctors said that it indicated that re was a more serious underlying problem. Since road transport would have taken too long, 34-year-old male gorilla was flown in a helicopter to a hospital located 64 kilometres from Johannesburg Zoo. 

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While speaking to an international media outlet, Dr Kresen Pillay, who has been treating gorilla, said that team had to consider how to get Makokou to hospital as fast as possible as he is an older animal and putting him under anaestic would have posed a risk for him during an hour’s drive to and from clinic. 

While explaining condition of gorilla, Pillay said that he’s got inflammation in his se and has a growth that has formed, which could be an allergy. However, Pillay also added that doctors still had to confirm it as over time it has grown and has masses which blocked his nasal passs. 

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cancerous cells found 

While sharing a series of photos and videos of gorilla being flown and n treated, hospital in Facebook post wrote, “Prof Gerhard Steenkamp examined Makokou's nasal passs. He found that y were almost entirely blocked with what looked like several tumours. re was some relief that cancerous cells were found in biopsied tissue”. 

hospital also shared a video of Makokou getting off stretcher after CT scan. In video, one can see five people lifting 34-year-old and putting him on a stretcher. doctors also informed that Makokou is in a better condition w after scan. However, gorilla still has to undergo an operation before his 35th birthday on July 9. Makokou is currently back at his enclosure in Johannesburg Zoo. 

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