Woburn Safari Park turn to horse experts to help perform complex knee surgery on giraffe

A team of surgeons have carried out complex surgery to help a giraffe walk again.

Sahara, a seven-year-old Nubian giraffe, had developed a kneecap condition called "locking stifle", causing herleg to lock and severely limiting her mobility.

Vets at Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire described the condition as "one of the most complex cases" they had ever tackled.

And they looked at horses as inspiration for how to treat Sahara.

Nathalie Wissink-Argilaga, head vet at Woburn Safari Park, said: "With no precedent in giraffes, we adapted a technique used in horses to stabilise Sahara's joint and give her the best chance of recovery."

Operating on a giraffe is a significant challenge, with the large mammal's unique anatomy making anaesthesia "unpredictable", the park said.

Lying down for extended periods of time can also cause life-threatening complications.

To minimise risk, the veterinary team prepared a deep hay bed and supported Sahara's neck with a wooden board.

They also used blindfolds and earplugs to reduce stress and keepers massaged her neck throughout the hour-long procedure to maintain circulation.

The surgery involved a minimally invasive tendon-splitting technique to prevent the joint from locking.

The specialist team included Woburn's zoo vets, an equine surgeon and imager from Rossdales Equine Hospital, a veterinary anaesthetist from Cambridge Vet School and Woburn's dedicated animal keeper team.

The park said Sahara was continuing to recover well.

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know...