Samburu, a 15.5-year-old lioness at the Ramat Gan Safari, underwent a full dental checkup and treatment this week at the Safari’s Wildlife Hospital, “just like a human,” according to a spokesperson.
Her caretakers at the savannah exhibit noticed that Samburu had recently changed her eating habits, eating less and appearing to have difficulty chewing. When her condition didn’t improve, the veterinary staff decided to bring her in for a full workup.
At the Wildlife Hospital, Samburu underwent a thorough series of tests, including bloodwork, X-rays, and ultrasound scans. Eventually, the cause of her discomfort was identified: a piece of tartar buildup was irritating her gums and had led to a small lesion.
