Longleat gorilla gets a massage thrown in with his dentist appointment

A male gorilla has been getting a massage while undergoing dental check-up at Longleat.

Alf, had to be anaesthetised after keepers at the Wiltshire safari park spotted swelling to his lower jaw.

A specialist veterinary dental team was brought in to undertake the operation and inspect the affected area.

Chris Mangham carried out the dental inspection on Alf. He said they found no major issues and were very pleased with how well the procedure went.

While Alf was unconscious, keepers took the opportunity to get animal osteopath Tony Nevin to manipulate the giant 150 kg primate’s right arm and shoulder.

Keeper Lauren Bow said: “Ever since Alf arrived here with his brothers Evindi and Kesho back in 2011 we have been aware of a weakness on his right side.

“We have been working with the osteopath to try and improve the movement and flexibility in his arm and occasions like this – when Alf is entirely sedated – provide us with the perfect opportunity to do some more intensive manipulation and massage.

“When he arrived his movement was actually quite limited but now it is pretty much back to normal.

“Tony manipulates the muscles, relaxing them and essentially putting them back to how they should be. It’s very similar to human physiotherapy.”