Caesarean Operation On Circus Lioness

Chronicle (Levin), 6 November 1948, Page 5

Caesarean Operation On Circus Lioness

Press Association)

(Per

DUNEDIN, Xov. 5. History in animal surgery was made at Palmerston' on Tliursday evening when a caesarean operation was performed on a liones3 by two Dunedin veterinary surgeons. The operation was successful altliough the animal population of Otago will not be increased as the three eubs were dead. Playing the rnost passive role m this little drama was the three-year-old lioness whieh was seen by thousands of Dunedin children recently performing in Barton 's Circus. 8he is now reeovering slowly from her experience. Late on Thursday afternoon, Mr. 8. A. Thomson, who is in private practice as a veterinary surgeon, and Mr. I. N. Cairney, a veterinary surgeon attaclied to the Department of Agriculture, left Dunedin by car in response to a maternity call whieh is probably unique at least in Xew Zealand. When they arrived at the Palmerston Showgrounds, they found that the lioness had been in labour for "about 3(3 hours and that it was impossible to eft'ect delivery in the normal way. An iatravenous anaesthetic was given and a caesarean section started without delay. Tragedy has dogged the footeteps of this particular lioness of late. Her mate became ill in Christchurch some weeks agO and in spite of the rnost ca%ful and . constant attention, died. The loss of the three cubs will be a serious blow not only to the mother but also to the circus as the Tion markdt can sCarcely be said to^be over stocked at this or any other time.