Des Moines, Iowa – April 27, 2007 – The staff veterinarian at Great Ape Trust of Iowa says the overall health status is ‘very good’ for the research center’s 27-year-old female orangutan Knobi. A team of veterinarians and physicians, directed by staff veterinarian Dr. Brigetta Hughes, conducted a physical examination and diagnostic workup of Knobi on April 22, at Great Ape Trust. The examination was scheduled because Knobi had recently experienced recurring white blood cells in her urine and reproductive bleeding.
 During the one-hour procedure, the medical team identified a small mass in Knobi’s uterine wall. The mass measured one inch by two inches and was detected in Knobi, who was anesthetized, through the use of ultrasound technology. The medical team agreed it is most likely a simple fibroid tumor, common in humans.
“As in human women, we will closely monitor the mass by ultrasound,” said Hughes. “We’ll accomplish this by familiarizing Knobi with the ultrasound machine and probe, allowing the veterinary staff to perform regular visual checks on the mass.”
 Fibroid tumors and other uterine tumors have been documented in female orangutans at other facilities and have, on occasion, required surgical removal.
“Surgical intervention will be necessary only if Knobi’s symptoms increase and affect her health or lifestyle,” said Hughes. “Right now, she’s very playful and happy.”
Hughes adds that further diagnostic test results, including thyroid and reproductive hormone ratios, will be available in the next few weeks.
In addition to Hughes, members of the medical team included Dr. Dennis Riordan, consulting veterinarian; Dr. Matt Brown, obstetrician/gynecologist; Dr. Bill Young, director of imaging, Mercy Medical Center; Emily Chambers, ultrasonographer for abdominal and pelvic studies; and Kathleen Lane, ultrasonographer for cardiac studies.
Great Ape Trust Background
When completed, Great Ape Trust will be the largest great ape facility in North America and one of the first worldwide to include all four types of great ape – bonobos, chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans – for noninvasive interdisciplinary studies of their cognitive and communicative capabilities.
Great Ape Trust is dedicated to providing sanctuary and an honorable life for great apes, studying the intelligence of great apes, advancing conservation of great apes and providing unique educational experiences about great apes. Great Ape Trust of Iowa is a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit organization and is certified by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA). |
Great Ape Trust is certified by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums
