AssetID: 54524139
Headline: London Zoo's Smallest Primates Take A Trip To The Dentist
Caption: Two of London Zoo's tiniest residents recently paid a special visit to the dentist. Ernest, a five-year-old endangered pygmy slow loris, and Nuka, a black-capped squirrel monkey, underwent dental surgery after routine checkups raised concerns. X-rays revealed that Ernest had a broken tooth hidden beneath his gum, causing swelling and discomfort, while Nuka needed extractions for two problematic teeth. To ensure the best care, London Zoo's vets enlisted Dr. Rachel Perry, a leading veterinary dentistry specialist, to perform the delicate procedures. Both primates were placed under general anaesthesia, allowing vets to conduct thorough health checks while addressing their dental issues. Dr. Perry and her team carefully extracted the affected teeth, using tiny stitches to close the incisions before waking the patients. London Zoo veterinarian Stefan Saverimuttu confirmed that both operations were a success, with Ernest now pain-free and Nuka quickly bouncing back. Nuka was a little wobbly after his anaesthesia but was soon back to his playful self, sticking to softer foods like bananas while he recovers. Now on the mend, Ernest has moved into a new section of his habitat, where he has been introduced to a new mate as part of a breeding programme. Both primates are receiving anti-inflammatory medication and remain under close supervision, but they are already showing signs of a smooth recovery.
Keywords: Natural World,London,zoo,dentist,pygmy slow loris,black-capped,squirrel,monkey,teeth,tooth,extractions,vets,veterinary,dentistry,delicate,procedures,anaesthesia,health,checks,dental,issues,incisions,operations,breeding,programme,medication,recovery,monkeys
PersonInImage: