Whipsnade chimps could save lives
Two chimpanzees at Whipsnade Zoo have become the first in the UK to be fitted with special heart monitoring devices as part of a pioneering procedure.
The two young males, Phil and Nikki, were selected for the procedure as they were closely related to two young adult male chimpanzees that were diagnosed with cardiovascular abnormalities thought to be genetic.
Data will be analysed over a period of time in order to give a better understanding of heart disease in apes.
The procedure will be shown on ITV1 documentary ‘The Zoo’ tonight (10 July) at 8pm.