Manhattan —A blind Colobus monkey regained her sight and is once again climbing and scampering around her habitat at Manhattan's Sunset Zoo thanks to cataract surgery performed recently by the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, according to a media release from the zoo.
Rob Chase, Sunset Zoo's primate keeper, said that before the surgery, 27-year-old Mangalisa was usually crouched in a corner moping because she couldn't see to climb in the trees, where her species normally lives.
The Colobus monkeys, native to Africa and known for their long, beautiful, black-and-white coat, are popular animals at the Zoo because they are so energetic - climbing and jumping around the enclosure.
"They live in the trees," head keeper Savannah Brethauer said. "That was one of our biggest concerns. Mangalisa stopped climbing."
Her quality of life had deteriorated to the point that Chase and Brethauer worried about her surviving the winter.
"We wanted to do something for her because she was healthy, and just because she is an older monkey doesn't mean she doesn't deserve a chance," Chase said.
Like humans, primates sometimes develop with age a clouding of the lens of the eye known as cataracts. The condition is routinely fixed in humans with surgery to remove the cloud and clear up the lens.
Chase said that about a year and a half ago, he noticed that something was wrong with Mangalisa.
"It was almost an overnight observation of her," he said. "She would have to feel around and would bump into something. It was like she could only see shadows and bright lights."
Chase and Brethauer both have children, and they said caring for Sunset Zoo animals is like having a child. By observing the personalities of the animals and their behavior, the keepers know when something is off. Chase immediately tried to arrange the habitat to accommodate Mangalisa's disability.
"We didn't move anything," Chase said. "We kept the water and food in the same place so she could find it. I put grip tape up so she could find her way inside."
As her sight deteriorated, Chase said he added shiny metallic duct tape so that when the sun reflected on it, Mangalisa might see shadows and avoid hitting posts.
About two months before surgery, Chase noticed yet another change in her vision. She had become completely blind - even shadows or lights didn't produce a reaction from her. Things got to the point that when it rained, Mangalisa would sit outside and not be able to find her way inside. Chase would have to enter the yard and use gentle measures to help guide her out of the inclement weather with as little fear as possible.
Fortunately for Sunset Zoo, it has one of the world's most renowned exotic animal schools just down the road at Kansas State University. Sunset is the only Zoo Kansas State University contracts with to provide comprehensive health care for its animals. It's a win-win for both the Zoo and the School of Veterinary Medicine.
"There are very few zoos that work directly with veterinary schools and have a relationship like we do," Brethauer said.
For K-State, the collaboration gives faculty, interns, residents, students, and nurses hands-on experience with quality care of animals, especially the preventive care Sunset Zoo emphasizes, said Sara Gardhouse, Assistant Professor of Exotic Animal Medicine.
"We get to show our residents and students what excellent zoo care is," Gardhouse said.
K-State swung into action to help Mangalisa. Gardhouse said K-State staff did a CT scan blood work and evaluated Mangalisa's heart. They concluded that she was in good health other than her sight and hearing. The Ophthalmology department said she had a good chance of regaining sight.
In late January, Mangalisa was taken to the veterinary school where Associate Professor of Ophthalmology Jessica Meekins performed cataract surgery. Mangalisa came back to Sunset Zoo the same day, and Chase made a comfortable bed for her in one of the bedrooms away from the other two monkeys, male Bobby and female Azizi. The monkeys could still see one another through a mesh door, which helped assure her troop mate Bobby that she was ok.
"It was scary the first couple of days," Chase said. "I would wave in front of the mesh door to the bedroom, and she would back up. She would still run into a wall on one side. It was almost like she was still blind in one eye."
It took about two weeks before the other eye began to come around. One warm, sunny day, Chase said he decided to go for it.
'I let her outside, and I can't tell you how much my heart was beating," he said. "She ran out and right up in the trees, which she hadn't done in years."
Mangalisa now bounds around the habitat, grabbing ropes, climbing a ladder, and hopping from place to place above the ground.
Gardhouse said the case showed how veterinary medicine can be progressive in improving the lives of exotic animals.
"It was a very rewarding case for us, especially when we saw how successful it was," she said.
Chase and Brethauer said that their seeing the change in Mangalisa has been moving for them and underscores how they are making a difference in the lives of the animals at Sunset Zoo.
"From where she was to where she is now is just incredible," Chase said.
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