KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Zoo Knoxville completed a historic surgery on Lu the chimpanzee, the zoo announced Friday. Doctors at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine finished spinal surgery and removed a tumor on Sept. 19.

It was a collaboration between Dr. Talisha Moore, a veterinary neurologist, and Dr.James A. Killeffer, a human neurologist.

“An operation believed to be the first documented procedure of its kind performed on a chimpanzee,” said Zoo Knoxville.

Zookeepers began to notice that Lu was showing weakness in his hind legs and an MRI revealed a tumor pressing against his spinal chord.

“This was an incredibly rare case,” said Dr. Moore. “Chimps are far more like humans than they are like dogs or cats, so we knew we needed a unique surgical approach. Partn

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