KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Zoo Knoxville said one of its chimpanzee is recovering well after a historic spinal surgery.

Mwelu, or Lu, is a 34-year-old chimpanzee at Zoo Knoxville. Doctors at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine performed spinal surgery on him and removed a tumor last month.

Previous Coverage: ‘First documented procedure of its kind’ | Zoo Knoxville chimpanzee undergoes historic spinal surgery

On Monday, officials with the zoo said Lu has suffered no setbacks, and his histopathology results confirmed that his mass was benign after no evidence of malignancy was found.

“Lu has already shown improved mobility and is gaining strength each day,” the zoo said in a press release. “For now, he’s recovering indoors and away from the rest of the troop so h

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