Kiburi, a 21-year-old silverback gorilla and the leader of London Zoo’s western lowland gorilla troop, received a reassuring health update this week after undergoing a comprehensive medical examination.
The 177-kilogram great ape had been closely monitored by his care team following recurring digestive troubles. To gain a better understanding of his condition, veterinarians decided a full diagnostic assessment — including a CT scan — was necessary. The effort brought together an expert team of zoo vets, specialists from the Royal Veterinary College, and even human medical consultants from the NHS.
Before the procedure, Kiburi needed to be safely anaesthetised — no small task for a powerful silverback. Months of cooperative training between zookeepers and veterinary staff helped him become comfortable enough to calmly present his arm for the anaesthetic injection.
Once asleep, Kiburi underwent an in-depth cardiac evaluation in the back dens of the Gorilla Kingdom habitat. Monitoring heart function is essential for assessing an animal’s overall health, particularly for large primates like Kiburi.
Afterward came the most logistically challenging step — transporting the anaesthetised gorilla to a mobile CT scanner. It took six team members to carefully lift him onto a gurney, followed by a short but carefully monitored trip across the zoo grounds on a flatbed vehicle.
The CT scanner, supplied by Burgess Diagnostics’ 44-foot mobile unit, was positioned within the zoo for the special occasion. Scans of Kiburi’s abdomen revealed no alarming signs, a conclusion later confirmed by NHS doctors specializing in gastrointestinal medicine and imaging.
Dr. Amanda Guthrie, Head of Wildlife Health Services at London Zoo, expressed her relief at the results. “We keep a very close eye on all of our animals to ensure they receive the best possible care,” she said. “When we noticed Kiburi was experiencing some digestive discomfort, we wanted to be absolutely certain there wasn’t an underlying issue. Thankfully, all his initial test results came back normal.”
Kiburi has since returned to his family group in Gorilla Kingdom, which includes his two young daughters, Juno and Venus. “It’s wonderful to have him back with his troop and to see that he’s doing well,” Dr. Guthrie added. “These results will help us continue to monitor his health and make sure he stays in top form.”