Boki the bear makes amazing recovery after brain surgery, zoo says

Image source, PA Media

Image caption, Boki is doing bear-y well according to the people looking after him

Six weeks after his life-saving brain surgery, zookeepers have said Boki the brown bear is "paw-sitively" thriving.

Two-year-old Boki, who lives in the Wildwood Trust in Kent, had a brain condition that put his life at risk.

Vet Romain Pizzi performed what is thought to be the world's first brain operation on Boki, to help him get better.

And according to Boki's keepers, it was a roaring success!

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Image source, PA Media

Image caption, The vet that performed the surgery had actually done it once before, but on a black bear, in 2013

Boki has since had six weeks of rehabilitation, and the team have said his recovery is "remarkable".

One positive sign is that Boki has put on a bit of weight - a spokesperson for the Wildwood Trust said: "Boki is now 20kg (44lbs) heavier than he was six weeks ago, putting him at around 140kg (308lbs)."

He's been enjoying playing around with cardboard boxes covered in honey too, and the team at Wildwood Trust say he seems to be getting back to his normal self.

Image source, PA Media

Image caption, Boki is back to his cheerful self and playing with toys

They also noticed he's slowing down a bit, and showing signs of getting ready to hibernate for the winter for the first time.

Hibernation is something lots of mammals do, where they sleep through the winter to conserve energy when there isn't a lot of food to eat.

Mark Habben, director of zoo operations at Wildwood Trust, said: "We're in awe of the progress he's made and remain incredibly grateful to Romain and everyone who has helped us get Boki back to the charismatic, care-free bear we first met nearly two years ago."

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