By Dean Murray

London Zoo’s 21-year-old silverback gorilla Kiburi has been given an initial clean bill of health, following an elaborate veterinary procedure that included a full cardiology exam and CT scan.

The 177kg western lowland gorilla , patriarch of the zoo’s Gorilla Kingdom troop, had been under observation after recurring stomach problems.

Zoo staff, together with specialists from the Royal Veterinary College and NHS gastrointestinal experts, decided a full examination was required.

Months of preparation ensured Kiburi could be safely anesthetized, with keepers training him to offer his arm for the injection.

Gorilla Kiburi undergoes a health check at the London Zoo. (London Zoo via SWNS)

Once sedated, vets conducted a detailed heart check before he was loaded onto a

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