Human and animal surgeons work together to help orangutan

Vicky the orangutan is recovering well

An orangutan at Blackpool Zoo is recovering from a special double surgery to help her breathe more easily.

Vicky the Bornean orangutan was operated on by leading human and animal medical experts to have double surgery on her sinuses and lungs.

It's the first time the two procedures have been carried out together simultaneously in the UK.

Jawed Tahery, a surgeon from Nuffield Health, The Grosvenor Hospital in Chester, explained why a surgeon who usually operates on people was able to help Vicky:

Animal and human surgeons worked together to help Vicky

Karen Archer, a vet at Oakhill Veterinary Centre in Preston who also helped with the operation, said:

Peter Dillingham, Animal Manager at Blackpool Zoo, added:

The operation was a success and Vicky is now recovering back with her family

Vicky was born at Blackpool Zoo on June 17th 1984.

She is the mother of the two other females in the group, Cherie and Summer and is a very intelligent animal who tends to boss everyone around.

Her favourite food is yogurt and she is best known for flashing visitors her smile, which has been photographed thousands of times!