The Woodland Park Zoo staff and its 425-pound gorilla, Vip, all are breathing easier today, thanks to successful sinus surgery performed on the animal by a UW Medicine specialist.

The gorilla had been battling a severe sinus infection, and last week was determined to need a difficult surgery to drain the blockage and remove the infection. The operation was performed by Dr. Greg Davis, director of rhinology and endoscopic skull base surgery at UW Medical Center. Davis and otolaryngology colleague Al Hillel donated their time for the procedure, performed at the zoo’s animal hospital.