Edinburgh Zoo sun bear in remission following terminal cancer diagnosis
A sun bear at Edinburgh Zoo is in remission following a terminal cancer diagnosis. The 13-year-old animal, named Babu, was diagnosed with lymphoma in April 2024.
Last year, keepers at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland noticed Babu had significant swelling in lymph nodes across her body. This was accompanied by changes to her behaviour and eating habits.
Following an investigation by the wildlife conservation charity's vets, Babu was diagnosed with lymphoma. This is a variety of cancer with very limited precedent in bears.
After receiving a second opinion from veterinary oncologist Dr Isabel Miguel, a terminal diagnosis was confirmed. As a result, the veterinary team at Edinburgh Zoo began to prioritise ensuring quality of life.
At the time, it was believed that Babu had mere weeks or months to live. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland communicated the diagnosis to adopters and its members.
Veterinary surgeon at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland Stephanie Mota commented: "This diagnosis was new territory. We found one similar case involving a Himalayan black bear in China, but it died suddenly and there was very little information available to guide us.
"Our top priority was that Babu was comfortable and happy in her last days."
According to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, bears are known to mask symptoms and it is therefore difficult to catch illnesses early. This was the case when Edinburgh Zoo's 20-year-old sun bear Rotana was put to sleep in October 2023 following a rapid spread of cancer.
The team carefully reviewed all available literature to help Babu, including studies on canine medicine as lymphoma is relatively common in dogs. They chose a treatment course that minimised potential side effects alongside pain relief, with the aim of slowing Babu's cancer and easing her discomfort.
However, to the surprise of staff, the sun bear's condition began to improve. Following six months of treatment, tests in October 2024 revealed a reduction in cancerous cells.
Further monitoring and additional tests carried out earlier this year showed no detectable signs of the disease. Dr Miguel also confirmed that Babu was in remission.
Head of veterinary services at RZSS Professor Simon Girling stated: "We're delighted that Babu has responded so positively to the medication, especially as we were in uncharted territory. With confirmation of remission, we've been able to stop her pain medication, and are now gradually reducing her cancer treatment while closely monitoring her condition."
Babu's weight is currently being recorded weekly, with daily behaviours and appetite also being monitored by keepers. An objective charting system is being employed to ensure any changes are spotted early.
The animal's medication is being hidden in honey, which is her favourite food. Honey is normally reserved for special occasions, but has become part of Babu's twice-daily routine during her recovery.
Mota added: "She's really interested in digging around in her habitat for insects at the moment. These inquisitive, natural behaviours are really good signs that she is feeling happy and healthy."
Babu is among the most popular residents at Edinburgh Zoo, and her recovery has been met with joy. However, the veterinary team remain cautiously optimistic.
Dr Girling continued: "This news is better than we ever hoped for, but it wasn't what we expected and there's always a possibility that the cancer could return. For now, what matters most is that Babu is happy, healthy and back to her old self."
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Edinburgh Reporter
5 days ago
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Babu makes a recovery after cancer treatment
A bear at Edinburgh Zoo that was given weeks to live after being diagnosed with terminal cancer last year, has confounded experts by going into remission. Babu, a 13-year-old sun bear 'loved by visitors for her curious personality', was diagnosed with lymphoma in April last year. The Zoo conveyed the sad news to supporters and vets turned their attention to ensuring Babu was comfortable in her final days. Now, a year on, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), the wildlife conservation charity that operates the Zoo, has confirmed Babu's 'incredible recovery' adding the bear is 'in remission and loving life'. Professor Simon Girling, head of veterinary services at RZSS, said: 'This news is better than we ever hoped for, but it wasn't what we expected and there's always a possibility that the cancer could return. 'For now, what matters most is that Babu is happy, healthy and back to her old self.' Babu was diagnosed after keepers noticed she had developed significant swelling in lymph nodes across her body, accompanied by changes to her behaviour and eating habits. After RZSS vets investigated, she was diagnosed with lymphoma, a form of cancer with very limited precedent in bears. Following a second opinion from veterinary oncologist Dr Isabel Miguel, a terminal diagnosis was 'confirmed' and the veterinary team turned to ensuring quality of life. Stephanie Mota, veterinary surgeon at RZSS, said: 'This diagnosis was new territory. We found one similar case involving a Himalayan black bear in China, but it died suddenly and there was very little information available to guide us. 'Our top priority was that Babu was comfortable and happy in her last days.' Bears are known to mask symptoms, making it difficult to catch illnesses early, as was the case when Rotana, the zoo's 20-year-old sun bear, was euthanised in October 2023 following the rapid spread of cancer. The team thoroughly reviewed all available literature to help Babu, including studies on canine medicine as lymphoma is relatively common in dogs. They selected a treatment option that minimised potential side effects alongside pain relief, in the hope of slowing Babu's cancer and easing her discomfort. To everyone's surprise, Babu began to improve. After six months of treatment, tests in October 2024 revealed a reduction in cancerous cells. Continued monitoring and further testing earlier this year showed no detectable signs of the disease and Dr. Miguel confirmed that Babu was in remission. Prof Girling said: 'We're delighted that Babu has responded so positively to the medication, especially as we were in uncharted territory. 'With confirmation of remission, we've been able to stop her pain medication, and are now gradually reducing her cancer treatment while closely monitoring her condition.' Babu's weight is tracked weekly, while daily behaviours and appetite are monitored by her keepers using an objective charting system to ensure any changes are spotted early. Mota added: 'She's really interested in digging around in her habitat for insects at the moment. These inquisitive, natural behaviours are really good signs that she is feeling happy and healthy.' Sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) are the smallest species of bear, native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, where they are classed as Vulnerable by the IUCN due to habitat loss and illegal wildlife trade. Known for their short, sleek black fur and distinctive pale, crescent-shaped marking on their chest, they play an important role in forest ecosystems by helping to control insect populations and disperse seeds. Babu's remarkable recovery has been met with joy, with visitors hailing the 'amazing news'. One fan, Lisa Smith, posted online: 'So happy to hear this news about Babu we love her and she's such a character looking forward to seeing her on Wednesday when we visit.' RZSS said the 'incredible recovery is a story of hope, honey and world-class care'. They added: 'One of the sweetest parts of Babu's treatment has been how well she's taken her medication, thanks to it being hidden in honey — her absolute favourite. 'Normally saved for special occasions, honey is a rare treat in a sun bear's diet, but it became part of her twice-daily routine during recovery. 'The only downside to her remission, keepers joke, is that Babu won't be getting her beloved honey quite as often anymore. 'Babu's recovery is a testament to the dedication, expertise, and compassion of the RZSS veterinary team and keepers, whose work continues to ensure the highest standards of care for animals at Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park.' While Babu's remission is cause for celebration, the veterinary team remains 'cautiously optimistic'. Like this: Like Related
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The Guardian
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- The Guardian
Victoria, UK's oldest polar bear, put down after health problems
The UK's oldest polar bear, and the first in the country to give birth to a cub in 25 years, has been put down because of age-related health problems. Victoria was 28 and had been kept in Highland Wildlife Park near Aviemore in the Scottish Highlands since 2015. Vets at the park took the decision to euthanise her on Tuesday morning after an assessment about her quality of life and wellbeing. Since December she had been receiving geriatric care after showing signs of arthritis. Victoria initially responded well to medication, but was put to sleep after a deterioration in her health. In the wild polar bears rarely live beyond the age of 18, but can live for longer in captivity. Debby, believed to be world's oldest polar bear, died in 2008 aged 41 or 42, after living almost all of her life in Assiniboine Park zoo in Winnipeg, Canada. Victoria was born at Rostock zoo in Germany in December 1996 and first gave birth in 2008 at Aalborg zoo in Denmark to a female named Malik. In 2015 she was move moved to the Highlands park, run by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS). Two years later she gave birth to Hamish, who according to the RZSS, was the first polar cub born in the UK since 1990. In 2021 she gave birth to another cub called Brodie. David Field, the chief executive of RZSS, said: 'Victoria was an excellent mother and seeing her bring up two big, healthy boys has been a joy for our charity's dedicated teams and the hundreds of thousands of visitors who have flocked to see the family and learn more about the threats these amazing animals face in the wild.' Sign up to Headlines UK Get the day's headlines and highlights emailed direct to you every morning after newsletter promotion The charity said Victoria had left an 'incredible legacy' through her cubs, who continued to play an essential role in the European breeding programme. It said the initiative aimed to promote a genetically diverse population of polar bears in captivity.
