A bear that became the first in the world to have brain surgery celebrated the anniversary with a special cake.
Boki went under the knife in October last year to treat hydrocephalus, a build-up of fluid on the brain that causes seizures.
The three-year-old brown bear was fitted with a stent to drain the fluid during the five-hour operation.
READ MORE: Stray dog overpowers leopard and drags big cat 300m
Last winter he entered torpor naturally for the first time – something keepers once feared he might not survive.
And in the next few days Boki will enter torpor again and sleep until spring.
To help him along and to celebrate his recovery Boki was presented with a cake – made of sweet potato, nuts, seeds and mice.
Keepers had to make the cake themselves as there were no bear bakeries available, as reported by Need To Know.
Romain Pizzi the pioneering veterinary surgeon who carried out the operation, said: “I’m thrilled that Boki has done so well a year after his brain surgery.
“Despite the excitement around the operation, what truly matters is the patient’s recovery, and this has been a real success.
“Hydrocephalus is a complex condition, and Boki’s case was unusual with his seizures.
“There was always a risk the surgery might not work but he’s done brilliantly—going into torpor, living medication-free and being his energetic self, running, swimming, and wrestling with other bears.
“The Wildwood team has kept me updated and I’m so pleased he’s thriving.
“Fingers crossed for many more years of happy, healthy life for Boki.”
Since the surgery Boki has gained weight, built muscle strength, and enjoys daily enrichment and play in his woodland enclosure.
Mark Habben, director of Zoo Operations at Wildwood Trust added: “To see Boki a year on- bigger, stronger and completely free of medication is extraordinary.
“He’s back to being the charismatic, cheeky young bear who first arrived here at Wildwood nearly two years ago.
“Thanks to the dedication of our team, the generosity of supporters, and the skill of Romain, Boki now has the carefree future he deserves.”
Boki’s family was rescued from a Spanish circus.
He was born in captivity at Port Lympne Reserve in Kent in 2022, but had to be moved to Wildwood and hand-reared by keepers after his mother rejected him.
Boki would be unable to survive in the wild, despite keepers having taught him key bear behaviours.
“He’s had a rough first three years of his life but you wouldn’t know it by looking at him,” said keeper John Forde.
“Everything just bounces off him.
“He’s just the most happy bear.”
