Just three weeks on from world-first surgery, brave moon bear Claudia has defied the odds to walk again.

The first images have been released of a moon bear, once again able to walk after vets successfully carried out never-before-performed surgery to repair her broken limbs.

While still clearly weak, moon bear Claudia can be seen putting weight on her front limbs, just weeks after a ground-breaking procedure meant pins and metal plates were inserted to repair fractured bones on both front limbs.

Claudia took time to regain her strength after the surgery before being moved into a larger den featuring specially designed low-level baskets.

Animals Asia Veterinarian Emily Drayton said:

“To see Claudia taking her first steps after 'bed rest' was a joy to behold. She was very cool and collected as she walked out of the cage, just like the bear we have come to love.

“Immediately she walked over to her new baskets and started rubbing her ruff along the edges, reacquainting herself with her nesting places. She was using her elbows well. Although she will never have 100% of the capacity of what a fit bear enjoys, she is looking fantastic considering the degree of damage following the fracture and the work required to repair it.”

Despite her impressive recovery, Claudia will have to wait a few more weeks before vets can consider allowing her back out in her enclosure – and it will be months before the rough and tumble of bear life – and wrestling with friends – can continue.

The brave bear will be given time to allow the bone around the implants to heal, while she’s also been scheduled for repeat radiographs in the coming months to assess her condition.

Animals Asia founder and CEO, Dr Jill Robinson MBE said:

“Claudia is a special bear, one who not only occupies a special place in bear surgery history, but also in our hearts.

“Just seeing her lounging in her basket, looking completely content as she stares out to us over her folded arms, lets us know that it was all worthwhile.” 

Animals Asia would like to thank Kate Baumgartner at LotusBlu Photography for kindly donating pictures of Claudia's surgery to this article.

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