Zoo Knoxville has pulled off a medical milestone with a spinal surgery on a 34-year-old chimpanzee named Mwelu, as reported by multiple sources. The procedure, conducted on September 19, encompassed removing a tumor found pressing against Mwelu’s spinal cord, following observations of hind leg weakness by zookeepers. An MRI scan had earlier revealed the tumor's existence, leading the veterinary team to proceed with surgery in an effort to preserve Mwelu's quality of life and mobility.
This unprecedented surgery is touted as potentially the first of its kind for a chimpanzee. A collaboration between veterinary neurologist Dr. Talisha Moore and human neurologist Dr. James A. Killeffer at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine was crucial to its success. "This was an incredibly rare case," Dr. Moore told WBIR. “Chimps are far more like humans than they are like dogs or cats, so we knew we needed a unique surgical approach. Partnering with Dr. Killeffer allowed us to combine expertise from both veterinary and human medicine to give Lu the best chance at recovery.”
The surgery required combined expertise from both human and veterinary medicine to strategize effectively. Dr. Killeffer, specializing in human neurosurgery, expressed the profound nature of the operation, confirming to WATE, "Not only have I not heard of this procedure being done in a chimpanzee, I couldn’t find any record of it in the literature. We were able to remove the vast majority of the tumor, relieve pressure on the spinal cord, and give him a path to healing."
Post-surgery, Mwelu is said to be recovering well in a sterile quarantine space, under close observation. There have been reports of improved movement from the chimp, signifying a promising recovery trajectory. Zoo Knoxville intends to continue closely monitoring his health and provide updates as it learn more about his condition. Zoo Knoxville's President and CEO, Bill Street, praised the extraordinary efforts of the caregivers and medical experts during this historic surgery, according to an interview by WVLT. “I could not be more proud of the many caregivers and medical experts who came together for this historic procedure. Their dedication has given Lu the opportunity for a longer, fuller life while also paving the way for other chimpanzees who may benefit from this groundbreaking work in the future,” Street said.
