Henry Vilas Zoo performs an orangutan procedure as part of the Great Ape Heart Project

MADISON, Wis. -- Datu, a critically endangered male Bornean orangutan, recently underwent echocardiogram, or an ultrasound of his heart, as part of a routine health examination.

A resident of Dane County’s Henry Vilas Zoo, the findings from Datu's procedure were shared with the Great Ape Heart Project.

According to the Zoo, Datu was sedated for his procedure through a voluntary injection and transported to the zoo’s Animal Health Center under general anesthesia. Datu also received bloodwork, TB testing, an upper and lower GI endoscopy, and had a small benign mass on his back removed.

In addition to the zoo’s veterinarian several other specialists contributed to this procedure. Datu’s echocardiogram was conducted in collaboration with a GAHP Ultrasound Advisor and the UW School of Veterinary Medicine Cardiology Service. His endoscopy was performed by UW Health Internal Medicine physicians and UW SVM Anesthesiologists were on hand to assist with his anesthesia.

The GAHP was formally established in 2010 by several zoos and veterinary medicine colleges. The primary objectives of the GAHP are to establish systematic measures for identifying heart disease and to create an accessible system for monitoring and reporting cardiovascular-related illnesses.

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