Huge Gorilla Undergoes Coronavirus Test Following Fight With His Younger Brother

Incredible images show a sedated gorilla undergoing a test for coronavirus following a fight with his brother.

Shango, who lives at Zoo Miami, weighs a whopping 30st 13lbs (196kg) and was put under by vets while they treated him for the wounds he obtained during the scrap with his brother Barney.

Zoo Miami/Ron Magill

While anaesthetised, the 31-year-old lowland gorilla was also given a plethora of other tests including X-rays, an ultrasound, TB test and, because he had a slight fever, a Covid-19 test.

A spokesperson for the zoo told the Miami Herald the test was given because of 'an abundance of caution' about the gorilla's health. You'll be pleased to know the tests came back negative.

Shango and 26-year-old Barney both arrived at Zoo Miami in May 2017, they were previously living at the San Francisco Zoo, where they were born.

The pair usually get along together well enough and, while flights between adult male gorillas are not uncommon, they don't usually end up in physical confrontation or injury.

But during this scuffle the pair did make contact, with Barney leaving behind some pretty nasty bite wounds on his poor brother.

Zookeepers kept a close eye on Shango after the fight and decided they wanted to give him a thorough once over after they noticed that he became protective over his arm which had been bitten.

Zoo Miami/Ron Magill

In a statement, the zoo said his 'behaviour indicated to the staff that closer examination was warranted' so they decided the best course of action was to get him sedated and on the vet's table.

Once under, the animal health team were able to clean and treat his wounds and don't think there will be any lasting damage.

The X-rays showed there was no damage to his skeleton and, although the bites were quite deep, it seems that they'll heal up well enough.

Shango has since been returned to the gorilla area at Zoo Miami and will be closely monitored as he recovers. As yet, Barney and Shango have not been reintroduced to one another.

The spokesperson added: "No decision has been made on when Shango will be reintroduced to Barney as that will depend on behavioural assessments made by the staff combined with the healing progress of his injuries."

Topics: Interesting, Animals, US

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19