Zoo Gorilla 'Doing Well' After Colonoscopy

BOSTON -- Gigi, Zoo New England’s western lowland gorilla, was reported to be doing well Thursday after she was put under anesthesia so the zoo’s veterinary staff could examine her.

Last week, zookeepers reported that Gigi was having digestive problems. She was treated, but did not respond as well as the veterinary staff would have liked. The anesthesia was required so a more thorough examination, including a colonoscopy, could be done.

“We did not find anything abnormal. While the colonoscopy looked normal, we did take several biopsies. We expect to have the test results back within one to two weeks,” said Dr. Hayley Weston Murphy, Zoo New England Director of Veterinary Services.

“We will continue to closely monitor Gigi.”

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Gigi, 36, is the oldest of the gorillas at the Franklin Park Zoo. While female gorillas in captivity can live into their mid-40s, the typical lifespan is between 35 and 40 years old.

Gigi has been a zoo resident since 1980. She is the mother of two male gorillas -- Quito, who was born in 1981, and Kubandu, who was born in 1982.

Kubandu died of complications from anesthesia during an annual physical exam at the zoo in 1997.

Gigi is expected to join the zoo’s other gorillas on exhibit in the near future.