'Paw-ly' Boki the bear bounces back from brain surgery

Boki the brown bear has had brain surgery in the first operation of its kind in the UK.

He needed it after a MRI scan showed he had hydrocephalus, which is a build-up of fluid in the brain.

Keepers say he's recovering "remarkably well"

"He is unique," Jon said. "I've been a zookeeper for 15 years and there is no one else like him."

What happened during Boki's brain surgery?

Boki had to have the fur around his head shaved ahead of his operation

Boki, who is two years old and lives at the Wildwood Trust in Kent, had been having health issues.

Specialist wildlife veterinary surgeon Romain Pizzi carried out the surgery on 9 October, and drained fluid from his brain.

It took five and half hours rather than the expected two and a half hours.

Dr Pizzi was the first surgeon to perform a similar operation when he treated a black bear in Asia.

The Wildwood Trust said it is fundraising for Boki's surgery and aftercare costs, which are expected to be around £20,000.

How is Boki's recovery going?

Here Boki is carrying around a tasty treat with fruit and honey in it

So far, his recovery has been a real success, and he's been given around-the-clock care.

Jon Forde, who is the head of bears at the Wildwood Trust said: "He is on a few different medications to help him heal in different ways but one of the most surprising to people would be Calpol, it is also obviously his favourite one!"

Jon is impressed by Boki's speedy recovery.

He said his scars are healing fast, but that it will take around six months to a year until his fur grows back.

Boki's been a bit paw-ly so it's going to take a while for his fur to grow back

Boki is described as being "such a lovely animal".

And the good news is he is returning to his "pre-operation self" each day.

Keepers say he is at the fence wanting attention, and he has a great appetite.

We wish Boki a bear-y speedy recovery!