Sussex dentist carries out emergency surgery on bear rescued from abandoned zoo
A dentist from West Sussex carried out emergency surgery to save a brown bear rescued from an abandoned zoo recently.
Paul Cassar, who only treats human patients in the UK, was part of a rescue team charged with treating Norman, a 20-year-old Syrian brown bear. Norman, who weighs almost 40 stone, was found in an abandoned zoo once owned by an oligarch. He was with five other bears when charity workers from International Animal Rescue found him.
Norman was living in horrific conditions when the team discovered him in a cage measuring just 12” x 12”. His teeth were worn and severely damaged as a result of trying to gnaw his way out of the cage and he was unable to eat properly.
Paul travelled to Armenia to carry out the urgent procedure, which took five hours. Talking about his extraordinary patient, Paul explained that it’s very common to find bears who have been mistreated and held in captivity with broken, rotten teeth because they can’t eat properly and they try to chew their way out of their cages. He said that Norman’s was a particularly distressing case and the team had to work very quickly.
After surgery, the team from International Animal Rescue monitored Norman closely and Paul was delighted to report that he recovered well and was soon enjoying his favourite snack, apricots.
Since the procedure, Paul has earned the nickname Bear Drills. In his fascinating career, he has also treated lions, a gorilla, rescued dancing bears, tigers and a hyena.
International Animal Rescue has saved more than 625 dancing bears in India and rescued 35 in Armenia. The charity is currently working to free more bears in Armenia.
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