Vets fight for gorilla's life amid serious health crisis at Franklin Park Zoo
- Kitombe, a 38-year-old male gorilla at Franklin Park Zoo, is undergoing a critical health examination.
- His health has deteriorated rapidly, and he exhibits various symptoms including weight loss and heart disease.
- Veterinarians emphasize the importance of this examination despite high anesthesia risks due to Kit's age.
In Boston, veterinarians are actively caring for Kitombe, a 38-year-old western lowland gorilla at the Franklin Park Zoo. The gorilla has been facing serious health challenges, prompting the zoo staff to perform a comprehensive examination under anesthesia, particularly risky due to his advanced age. Kitombe's health has rapidly deteriorated, with symptoms that include a chronic cough, weight loss, lethargy, trembling, glaucoma, and heart disease. His situation became concerning after a significant decline in his condition on Wednesday, which led the staff to assess the necessity for a detailed evaluation of his health. Kitombe, also known as Kit, has been a resident of the zoo since 1998 and has become a significant part of the animal community there. He is considered a geriatric gorilla, as the median life expectancy for male gorillas is about 32 years. The decision to proceed with the examination was made after the gorilla initially showed a positive response to medications, but the urgency of the situation called for a more in-depth approach to identify possible treatment options. This situation illustrates the critical health issues faced by aging gorillas, particularly males who are prone to cardiac diseases, which is noted as a significant concern in longer-lived gorillas. Veterinarians highlighted that while Kit had responded well to antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication, the observation of worsening health necessitated a deeper investigation into potential causes. Dr. Christopher Bonar, the director of animal health at Zoo New England, indicated the importance of this examination amidst the high risks associated with anesthesia given Kit's current conditions. The zoo hopes this examination will provide insight into his ailments, which have been troubling him for a while and will help plan future care, should treatment options be available. This situation not only sheds light on the individual health issues of Kitombe but also raises awareness regarding the challenges geriatric animals face. Zoos and veterinary professionals need to continually adapt their care strategies to cater to aging populations in captivity and ensure the well-being of elderly animals. As Kit continues to be evaluated, the staff remain hopeful that further insights will lead to more effective management of his health and improve his quality of life at the Franklin Park Zoo.