Overview

• Boki, a European brown bear, underwent pioneering brain surgery in October 2024 to treat hydrocephalus, a condition causing fluid build-up on the brain.
• The surgery, led by veterinary surgeon Romain Pizzi, involved placing a stent to drain excess fluid from Boki's brain to his abdomen, marking the first such procedure on a brown bear.
• Following the operation, Boki was weaned off medication and entered torpor (semi-hibernation), emerging recently in good health with no adverse effects observed.
• Wildwood Trust staff report that Boki retains his personality traits and has grown during his winter dormancy, though he lost 30kg and will need to regain weight gradually.
• Plans are underway to cautiously reintroduce Boki to two adult bears, Fluff and Scruff, after his recovery disrupted earlier integration efforts.