On 6 December 2024, an unexpected patient made his way to the “dentist’s office” at the
National Zoological Garden in Pretoria — Binga, a 23-year-old silverback gorilla weighing in at 180 kg. This unique patient underwent a comprehensive dental evaluation as part of a collaborative effort between the
University of Pretoria and the National Zoological Garden.
The multidisciplinary team conducting the procedure included veterinary dentistry and maxillofacial specialist Prof Gerhard Steenkamp, veterinary specialist in wildlife health Prof Katja Koeppel, resident Dr Giovana Martins, diagnostic imaging specialist Dr Nicolene Hoepner, Sr Michelle Cruywagen and Sr Jenna Wright from the Faculty of Veterinary Science, as well as students Nicole Hassell and Elmar van Aardt (both veterinary science), and veterinary nursing student Alicia Gouws.
They were joined by veterinary specialist in wildlife diseases Dr Agustina Fitte and Mr Radion Khoza (gorilla handler) from the Pretoria Zoological Garden. Together, the team worked tirelessly to prepare Binga for the procedure through careful training and expertise.
A Common Issue with Uncommon Challenges
Binga was diagnosed with periodontal disease—a disease that affects the gums around one of his molar teeth. Periodontal disease is relatively common in humans, and similarly affects gorillas and other great apes.
To access Binga’s mouth for treatment, the team used general anesthesia. Anesthesia can be complex when working with great apes—gorillas, orangutans, bonobos, and chimpanzees—due to their size and behaviors. However, veterinary specialists emphasized that whenever these animals are anesthetized, it provides an opportunity to gather as much health information as possible. This minimizes the need for future anaesthesia and allows veterinarians to detect health issues early.
Comprehensive Health Checks Performed
The clinical evaluation went beyond just the dental procedure. The team carried out a tooth extraction, ultrasound evaluation, and echocardiography as part of Binga’s overall health assessment. Thankfully, the procedure was a success, and Binga is now pain-free and in good health.
The veterinarians joked that if Binga could give advice, it would probably be: “Don’t forget to brush your teeth.”
A Collaborative Effort & Learning Opportunity
The procedure not only ensured Binga’s health but also served as a valuable teaching opportunity. The University of Pretoria and Pretoria Zoological Gardens emphasized the importance of collaboration and the role these types of clinical experiences play in training veterinary students and clinicians.
“We would like to extend our gratitude to the Pretoria Zoological Gardens for choosing to partner with our experts on this case and for offering this incredible learning experience,” said Prof Koeppel following the successful procedure.
Prof Gerhard Steenkamp extracts the infected tooth.
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