A 16-year-old lion named Chaos is doing "extremely well" after undergoing its first radiation treatment session for skin cancer at a Muelmed Mediclinic in the City of Tshwane on Tuesday morning.
"Chaos is our very first lion. We have just offloaded him. He is a bit drowsy but he is doing very well," his owner, Kara Heynis, of Lory Park Zoo told News24.
Chaos the lion goes for his first radiation treatment
(Supplied: Kara Heynis)
The treatment for skin cancer on his nose lasted about five minutes.
A closer look at Chaos as he goes for radiation treatment
(Supplied: Kara Heynis)
More treatment is expected next week. Chaos is due back at the hospital for three more treatments.
"We're a registered zoological facility so he was accompanied at all times and had all the necessary permits.
"We started the whole process of transporting him to the hospital at 10:30 and returned back home at 13:15," Heynis said.
Chaos was treated by a team of five radiation therapists, as well as one radiation oncologist.
"There were no other human patients around while he was treated and he came into the hospital through a back door," Radiation Specialist, Hanri Reynolds told News 24 on Tuesday.
Chaos at Muelmed as he undergoes treatment
(Supplied: Kara Heynis)