Topeka Zoo Gorilla Gets Surgery For Constipation

TOPEKA, KS — An old gorilla at the Topeka Zoo had to undergo surgery for constipation and is recovering "really well," officials said.

Tiffany, a 49-year-old lowland gorilla, underwent surgery Wednesday, zoo Director Brendan Wiley said. A large amount of stool was flushed out of her colon, the Topeka Capital-Journal reported. If the gorilla doesn't bounce back and issues persist, test results will be reviewed to determine how to treat the condition., Wiley said.

The zoo said staff members reported on Friday that the gorilla wasn't behaving like herself. They thought a storm the previous night might have upset her, but over the following days, she began losing her appetite. The surgery was performed to determine why she was reluctant to eat.(For more information on this and other Kansas stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

Photo credit: Topeka Zoo Facebook page