Veterinarians successfully operated on March 11 to repair a fractured left arm in a ring-tailed lemur named Ogong. (Image courtesy of the Uchi Park Zoo)
GWANGJU, March 13 (Korea Bizwire) — Veterinarians at the Uchi Park Zoo in Gwangju have successfully performed orthopedic surgery on a ring-tailed lemur that was transferred from Jeju Island for specialized care.
According to the Uchi Park Management Office, veterinarians successfully operated on March 11 to repair a fractured left arm in a ring-tailed lemur named Ogong. The primate, which is classified as a Grade 2 endangered species and falls under special protection by South Korea’s Ministry of Environment, sustained the injury on February 28 at Hwajowon Zoo on Jeju Island.
The case presented a logistical challenge. With no facilities on Jeju capable of performing surgery on primates, zoo officials launched a nationwide search for qualified veterinary care. The breakthrough came when the Yeongsan River Basin Environmental Office connected them with the surgical team at Uchi Zoo.
Ogong arrived at Uchi Zoo on March 5, where medical examinations revealed a comminuted fracture requiring immediate attention. The surgical team successfully performed the procedure using plates to stabilize the bone.
The Uchi Zoo veterinary team has handled several complex cases in the past. Their previous accomplishments include the world’s first artificial beak attachment surgery on a parrot, jaw joint repair on a snake, fracture treatment for a lizard, and artificial shell surgery for a tortoise.
“The scarcity of veterinarians qualified to treat zoo animals nationwide means many creatures fail to receive adequate medical care,” said Sung Chang-min, director of the Uchi Park Management Office. He emphasized the zoo’s commitment to addressing this gap in animal healthcare: “We will continue our efforts to support animals in medical blind spots and contribute to the improvement of animal welfare across facilities.”
Ogong will remain under medical supervision for approximately two weeks, with plans to return to Hwajowon Zoo around March 20. The surgery represents the first time Uchi Zoo has performed orthopedic surgery on an animal from another facility.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
