Boki the bear recovering well after brain surgery

Six weeks after life-saving brain surgery, Boki the brown bear is making a "remarkable recovery", according to keepers.

The operation was the "last hope" for the bear, but keepers at Wildwood Trust in Kent say they are delighted that the two-year old cub is now almost "back to his normal self".

Veterinary surgeon Romain Pizzi fitted a stent into Boki's brain to help drain excess fluid which was believed to be causing the bear debilitating seizures.

Mark Habben, director of zoo operations at Wildwood Trust, said: "We're in awe of the progress he's made and remain incredibly grateful to Romain and everyone who has helped us get Boki back to the charismatic, care-free bear we first met nearly two years ago."

Wildwood Trust adopted Boki from Port Lympne Safari Park, near Hythe, in December 2022.

A spokesperson for Wildwood said: "A positive sign post surgery is that Boki is now 20kg (44lbs) heavier than he was six weeks ago, putting him at around 140kg (308lbs).

"Recently, the team noticed that Boki had started to slow down and was showing signs of going into torpor (semi-hibernation) for the very first time."

Boki became the first brown bear on record to have brain surgery.

Following a diagnosis of hydrocephalus, a build up of fluid in the brain, the trust made the decision to operate.

Dr Pizzi said the surgery "appears to have been successful in improving his condition".

The operation was Dr Pizzi's second successful brain-surgery on a bear after he operated on a black bear, which also had hydrocephalus, in Asia in 2013.

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.