Looking after an animal’s teeth is much like looking after your own.

And just like us, healthy teeth and mouths are crucial for wellbeing!

Kayak uses his pearly whites to eat, groom, and sing his beautiful duets with his family Jermei and Lulani.

So, when his animal carers noticed the 32-year-old was drooling after meals, it was important to investigate this unusual behaviour.

Behind-the-scenes in our Vet Hospital, Perth Zoo Veterinarians Dr Karen Payne and Dr Shiva Sawmy teamed up with our colleagues from Animalius Animal Hospital,  Dr Kevin Ng and Dr Julian Suchowersky to take a closer look.

While under general anaesthetic, Kayak’s teeth were examined and the team performed dental radiographs to find the cause of the trouble.

The verdict? His left canine tooth was fractured!

While a root canal treatment would normally be attempted to save the tooth, after careful consideration of all options the expert team decided to remove the tooth as it was too badly damaged.

The procedure went smoothly, taking just under an hour with local anaesthetic blocks providing ongoing pain-relief.

Once stitched up, Kayak received a full dental clean and polish, before recovering comfortably in his nightquarters with some tasty pumpkin.

Under the watchful eyes of the primate carers, he returned to his usual self in no time!

In the wild, White-Cheeked Gibbons bare their teeth to scare off danger.

With one less canine, Kayak’s gappy grin might not be quite as intimidating now. But luckily,  in the sanctuary of Perth Zoo, he doesn’t face threats.

But his wild cousins in the wild face real threats every day.

Fewer than 2,000 Northern White-Cheeked Gibbons remain in the wild, making them one of the rarest apes on Earth.

That’s why we work with zoos around the world and to protect this precious species through a regionally coordinated breeding program.

Over the past 20 years, nine beautiful White-cheeked Gibbons have been born, many who have gone on to live in other zoos and continue to contribute to the program.

We also work closely with out conservation partner, Fauna & Flora International, to help protect and support wild habitat in Vietnam where the largest wild population live.

Together, we’re giving these incredible small apes a fighting chance.