An adult male giant panda known for his successful parental partnership with Bai Yun was recovering Wednesday after having a cancerous testicle removed at the San Diego Zoo.
Gao Gao’s tumor was discovered during a routine veterinary examination in late February and he subsequently underwent a biopsy, zoo spokeswoman Jenny Mehlow said.
The surgery on the bear, born in the wild and estimated to be 24 years old, was done Tuesday. Mehlow said the “fairly straightforward procedure” followed a wait for test results.
Gao Gao, who has fathered five cubs with female giant panda Bai Yun, was sleeping a lot due to the anesthesia, according to Mehlow. She said animal care staff was hoping to put him back on solid food.
Mehlow said it’s too early to say how the operation will affect the zoo’s giant panda breeding program. The animals are on loan from China, which approved the surgery.
– City News Service
