MIAMI, Fla. — An animal at Zoo Miami that had some tummy trouble just underwent surgery to get rid of the problem.
Zoo officials said Sia, a 29-year-old siamang, was having digestive issues that were caused by a buildup of sand and small pebbles in her gastrointestinal tract.
This past Friday, a team of veterinarians and specialists worked together to remove a significant amount of sand and pebbles from Sia’s GI tract.
The siamang is now recovering and will soon return to her habitat.
The surgery was successful, in part, because of Zoo Miami's 'One Health' initiative, in which the zoo brings in outside experts for advice or to participate in certain procedures.
Siamangs, on average, weigh between 22 and 25 pounds, and feed on a variety of leaves and fruits.
Their arms are about twice as long as their legs and help them swing across large areas between branches.