By Esther Lauaki
One of Australia’s oldest Lions is on the road to recovery after a risky surgery at Werribee Open Range Zoo.
Veterinarians and specialist surgeons removed a heamangiosarcoma tumour, a malignant cancer, larger than a golf ball from 18 year-old Jarrah’s neck in delicate surgery last month.
The cancer was detected as a large lump by zoo keepers in May, during one of Jarrah’s regular visual health checks.
Werribee Open Range Zoo senior veterinarian Bonnie McMeekin said that, while Jarrah’s behavior suggested she wasn’t suffering, it was important that the growth was diagnosed as soon as possible.
“When we saw that it wasn’t going away of its own accord, we decided to give Jarrah an anesthetic and take a biopsy of the mass so we could find out what we were dealing with,” Dr McMeekin said.
She said thankfully, the tumour was detected in time and Stewart Ryan, a specialist surgeon from Werribee’s U-Vet Animal Hospital, carried out the operation.
“Jarrah is an institution at Werribee Open Range Zoo,” Dr McMeekin said.
“When you hear a Lion roar on site it’s very often Jarrah. So knowing that she is going to be roaring for some time to come is a really lovely feeling.”
