Beijing zoo treats paralyzed great ape with TCM therapies

          Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-03 18:52:06|Editor: mingmei
          Video PlayerClose

          BEIJING, April 3 (Xinhua) -- The Beijing Zoo has been treating a 32-year-old paralyzed orangutan, a reddish-haired great ape, with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapies for years.

          The female orangutan, named Pangpang, came to the zoo from Japan in 1989 when she was two years old. In 2008, she suddenly fell ill, which led to a loss of mobility, slow reaction, shrinking appetite and a bad temper.

          Wang Zheng, who is in charge of the zoo's orangutan house, has been looking after Pangpang for 15 years. He was very worried and tried various ways to improve the orangutan's condition but nothing worked.

          In 2016, he came up with an idea to treat her with TCM therapies. With a history of more than 2,000 years, TCM is known for its unique medical theories and practices, such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage and dietetics.

          "The massage and rehabilitation training are mild therapies and could perhaps alleviate Pangpang's pains," Wang said.

          The first step was to identify the orangutan's acupuncture points. Wang purchased a special device and identified Pangpang's 19 common acupuncture points, which are quite similar to those of humans as orangutans share a high degree of genetic similarity with humans.

          At 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. every day, she enjoys a 30-minute TCM massage, with the help of massage instruments.

          In addition, she would be exposed to full-spectrum light for 30 minutes every day, which mimics sunlight and helps her absorb calcium.

          "We also control her sugar intake and make sure that 60 percent of her meals are leafy vegetables," Wang said. They offer Pangpang spring onions containing zinc that helps animals grow.

          In addition to TCM treatment, the keepers installed rings for Pangpang to improve arm strength and placed her feeding plate in different places to encourage her to move.

          After more than two years of treatment, Pangpang can move and eat independently, though her movements are still not as agile as a healthy orangutan.

          "The massage and training will continue. We hope she can lead a happy and healthy life when she's older," Wang said.

          TOP STORIES
          EDITOR’S CHOICE
          MOST VIEWED
          EXPLORE XINHUANET
          010020070750000000000000011100001379469571
          无码人妻一区二区三区四区av_亚洲精品911在线永久观看_精品一区二区国产在线观看_日韩不卡一区二区视频在线

                  日本最新免费的一区二区 | 日韩国产网站一区 | 日韩欧美中文字幕第一页 | 亚洲色精品vr一区区三区 | 日本一区二区三区免费播放 | 五月婷婷久亚洲有码中文字幕 |