CHIMP HAVEN PRIMATE BENEFITS FROM WILLISKNIGHTON SURGEON’S EXPERTISE

Ghali E. Ghali, DDS, MD, made a house call recently to Keithville’s Chimp Haven, the world’s largest chimpanzee sanctuary. Sparky, a 34-year-old male chimpanzee, had sustained a mandibular fracture that required surgery to stabilize and repair.

Veterinarians who specialize in the type of procedure Sparky required are not readily accessible in the Shreveport area. Thus, Chimp Haven staff called Dr. Ghali, renowned oral and maxillofacial surgeon with WK Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Institute, because of his expertise and experience performing such surgeries on chimpanzees.

Although this injury likely resulted from an altercation with other chimps, Sparky remains a popular chimpanzee within his social group and is often observed engaging in affiliative behaviors with others, Chimp Haven staff said. The surgery, which is very similar to surgery on humans, took about 30 minutes and resulted in the chimp losing two of his permanent teeth.

Sparky’s procedure is the third surgery that Dr. Ghali and his team has performed at Chimp Haven. “I continue to be impressed by the facility and the dedication of the Chimp Haven staff and personnel in taking care of these primates,” Dr. Ghali said.