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Gorilla Gets First Mastoidectomy, Recovers at San Diego Zoo

7/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

Mizani, a 12-year-old gorilla, underwent the first mastoidectomy on a gorilla at San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s Harter Veterinary Medical Center, performed by Dr. Jeffrey Harris and Dr. Krish Suresh.
Symptoms on March 14 prompted a CT scan diagnosing mastoiditis and sinusitis, medication failure prompting veterinarians to choose surgery.
The five-hour March 26 surgery succeeded, with June exams showing no complications and Mizani returning to his troop, eating normally, scheduled for follow-up.

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Story summary

Mizani, a 12-year-old gorilla, underwent the first mastoidectomy on a gorilla at San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s Harter Veterinary Medical Center, performed by Dr. Jeffrey Harris and Dr. Krish Suresh.
Symptoms on March 14 prompted a CT scan diagnosing mastoiditis and sinusitis, medication failure prompting veterinarians to choose surgery.
The five-hour March 26 surgery succeeded, with June exams showing no complications and Mizani returning to his troop, eating normally, scheduled for follow-up.