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["Paula Carino" <paulamariecarino AT gmail.com>]

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Surgeons hail operation on baby gorilla

SEATTLE (AP) - Veterinarians and pediatric surgeons combined their
efforts to remove a cyst near the spine of a baby gorilla at the
Woodland Park Zoo, an operation they believe is the first of its kind.

During the hourlong operation Thursday morning at the zoo, surgeons
from Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center joined zoo vets
in removing the mass, which was 1.2 to 1.6 inches (3 to 4
centimeters), said Dr. Richard G. Ellenbogen, a neurosurgeon and
chairman of the department of neurological surgery at the University
of Washington, which is affiliated with the hospital.

The surgery also confirmed that the as-yet-unnamed baby gorilla has a
mild case of spinal bifida, which doctors said should not be a concern
as she grows older.

"This gorilla operation was an amazing 'Star Trek' type of experience
for the team from Children's and the UW," Ellenbogen said.

The baby, the 12th successful gorilla birth for the zoo and the third
offspring of Amanda, 37, and the father, Vip, 28, arrived in October
with the cyst at the base of her back, but because of the way gorillas
hold their babies it was some time before the deformity was noticed.

Experts hoped to wait until the gorilla was a bit older and could
tolerate surgery better but grew concerned as recent tests showed it
had become infected and was growing toward the spine, raising a risk
of meningitis, said Dr. Kelly E. Helmick, the zoo's interim director
of animal health.

Before the surgery, zookeepers trained the mother, Amanda, to carry
her baby to them so they could give antibiotics to help fight the
infection, Helmick said.

After the operation, the gorilla was placed on a table outside of the
operating room to be given fluids and kept warm in a large pink
blanket while awakening from the anesthesia. About 30 minutes later,
the creature yawned and opened her eyes, her pink and purple pacifier
at the ready and a small stuffed gorilla on the counter nearby.

As soon as zookeepers returned her to Amanda, the mother grabbed the
infant and began nursing, Helmick said.

"It was a touching reunion between mom and baby," she said.

Gorillas naturally pick at each other to remove dirt and insects, so
the sutures were buried under the skin and covered with surgical
tissue glue, while Amanda's nails were painted red so she would be
distracted and pick at her nails instead of at her baby's incision.