09/01/2026
Caring for an animal as complex as a gorilla sometimes means bringing together expertise from across the veterinary and human medical worlds. And that is exactly what happened when our 23-year-old western lowland gorilla, Asha, recently underwent a specialized procedure.
Earlier this year, our team was excited to learn Asha was pregnant following a recommendation by the Species Survival Plan. Because she had previously experienced both a successful pregnancy and a miscarriage, our teams closely monitored her health. As the pregnancy progressed, Asha began gaining weight more rapidly than expected, her abdomen became increasingly distended, and changes in her behavior also suggested she was uncomfortable, prompting our teams to investigate further.
Sadly, the pregnancy was not viable, but further testing revealed a significant buildup of fluid in her abdomen and chest, along with multiple fluid-filled masses affecting both ovaries. Because of the amount of fluid and concerns for her health, surgery was needed.
Our veterinary team partnered with specialists from the human medical community to develop a plan for Asha’s procedure, bringing together expertise in anesthesiology, OB-GYN, and gynecologic oncology. We’re incredibly grateful to Dr. Joseph Beckham, Dr. Jamie Erwin, Dr. Devin Trousdale, Dr. Ayoola Martins, Dr. Eric Siu, and Dr. David Pham for sharing their expertise and helping provide Asha with the specialized care she needed.
During surgery, the team discovered multiple cysts on both of Asha’s ovaries and removed them. Based on her clinical signs, the ovarian abnormalities and fluid buildup, the team diagnosed her with pseudo-Meigs syndrome, a rare condition associated with ovarian abnormalities that can cause fluid to accumulate in the abdomen and chest. Our team has not found any documented cases of pseudo-Meigs syndrome in gorillas, making Asha’s case especially unusual.
Today, Asha’s discomfort has resolved, she has returned to a healthy weight, and she is thriving once again! Her recovery is a testament to the incredible collaboration between our Dallas Zoo team and the medical specialists who came together to give Asha the care she needed.
