A brown bear that received groundbreaking, lifesaving brain surgery in October has come out of partial hibernation looking fantastic, happy, and healthy.
The three-year-old Boki, residing at Wildwood Trust close to Canterbury in Kent, has been experiencing seizures thought to be due to hydrocephalus (fluid accumulation on the brain).
He was treated with prednisolone for the inflammation and excess fluids, however, zoo personnel wouldn’t have been able to provide care after he entered torpor (a state similar to hibernation).
The decision was made that brain surgery would be the most suitable choice for Boki, leading him to undergo an operation lasting five hours on Wednesday, October 9. This procedure marked his status as the first documented brown bear to receive such treatment.
The renowned veterinarian Romain Pizzi, who did not charge for his services, implanted a stent connecting Boki’s brain and abdominal area to facilitate the drainage of surplus fluids.
A representative from Wildwood stated that the bear has shown "extraordinary recuperation" and was gradually taken off his medication without experiencing any negative side effects shortly before entering hibernation.
Jon Forde, who leads the bear care team at Wildwood, mentioned that Boki coming out of partial hibernation marks an important phase in his rehabilitation process.
He stated: "He looks fantastic, joyful, and fit; we have not noticed any adverse indications from him. All of his character attributes remain intact—he's still the beloved Boki we know and care for."
Boki performed admirably during his inaugural hibernation. He shed approximately 30 kilograms—likely due to significant growth occurring while he slept, which consumed considerable energy.
Our initial task will be to help him gain some weight. This season, food isn’t abundant—primarily just plants. We'll work on getting his weight up gradually, proceeding slowly to ensure everything goes well and confirm without any doubt that he’s in good health.
Boki was taken in by Port Lymphe Wild Animal Park in December 2022 when he was abandoned by his mother and needed to be raised manually by the staff members.
The spokesperson stated: "The group from Wildwood, famous for their efforts with brown bears, assisted him in understanding bear behaviors. During this process, they started integrating him with their two mature bears—Fluff and Scruff."
This must end due to his seizures, but the hope is that they'll come together again before long.
Mark Habben, Wildwood's head of zoo operations, stated: "We've witnessed quite an amazing change in this young bear; he has returned to his former self – just like the Boki we initially encountered. It seems as though he doesn’t recall having undergone surgery at all."
“Even though the indicators are quite promising, we must still move cautiously and ensure careful reintroduction for Fluff and Scruff.”
This will include rowdy play, something we aim to reduce during these initial phases after emerging from torpor.
“We will monitor him very closely and, at some point over the coming months, we will conduct that introduction if everything continues to go well.
“We have to take this step for his wellbeing and theirs as well – they want to be together.”
