Endangered Monkey with Broken Arm from Jeju Undergoing Surgery and Recovery in Gwangju

The endangered ring-tailed lemur underwent emergency fracture surgery at Gwangju Uchi Zoo.

Alakkkori Ring-Tailed Lemur 'Ogongi' After Surgery. Photo by Yonhap News

According to the Uchi Park Management Office in Gwangju on the 12th, the Uchi Zoo medical team successfully completed surgery on the left arm fracture of the ring-tailed lemur "Ogong-i" the previous day.

Ogong-i, classified as a Class II internationally endangered species, had been living at Jeju Hwajowon and suffered a left arm fracture on the 28th of last month. However, since there were no hospitals in Jeju capable of treating monkey fractures, surgery was requested at Uchi Zoo through the Yeongsangang River Basin Environmental Office.

Ogong-i arrived in Gwangju on the 5th, was diagnosed with a comminuted fracture, and underwent surgery. After about two weeks of inpatient treatment, he is expected to return to Hwajowon around the 20th.

The Uchi Zoo medical team has previously succeeded in various orthopedic surgeries, including the world's first artificial beak attachment for a parrot, jaw fracture surgery for a snake, and artificial carapace surgery for a land turtle.

Sung Changmin, head of the Uchi Park Management Office, said, "There are not many veterinarians nationwide who can perform surgery on wild animals," adding, "We will help animals in medical blind spots and contribute to improving animal welfare."