Orang utan in world-first eye surgery
KUCHING: Aman the orang utan has successfully undergone an operation to remove cataracts from both eyes at the Matang Wildlife Centre – the world’s first cataract surgery on an orang utan.
Animal ophthalmologist Dr Izak Venter and wildlife anaesthesiologist Dr Frik Stegman, both from South Africa, performed the two-and-half-hour procedure with the assistance of local veterinarian Dr S. Amilan.
Dr Venter cautioned that Aman would have to adapt to being able to see again after being blind for the past 10 years.
“He had very mature cataracts and was absolutely blind. We don’t know how much vision he will regain,” he said.
Staff and volunteers of Sarawak Forestry, which manages the Matang Wildlife Centre, will monitor his progress.
The cost of the operation was covered by donations.
British tourists Phil and Jean Coggins gave RM2,000 (US$590) for the surgery to Sarawak Forestry.
The couple, who run a restaurant in Alton, England, have been visiting Sarawak every year for the last six years.
Each time they would make a donation for orang utan rehabilitation.
Ian Jarrett
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