# Elephant tusk surgery at Berlin Zoo

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/elephant-tusk-surgery-at-berlin-zoo
> Updated: 2026-10-15T10:21:08.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2.

A two-year-old male elephant named Simon at the Berlin Zoo underwent emergency surgery to treat a broken tusk. The injury exposed sensitive dental pulp, which veterinary dentist Yves Debosschere described as a “medical emergency”. 

To address the injury, a specialist from Belgium performed a procedure involving X-rays and the sealing of the wound to preserve pulp vitality, a technique similar to those used in humans. This approach aims to allow the tusk to continue growing normally. Lead veterinarian Frank Göritz of the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research noted that anesthetizing an elephant for such an operation is “not a routine procedure”.

Following the successful operation on October 12, 2026, Simon has recovered and been reunited with his mother, Tana. The procedure involved a pulp capping technique that required approximately twenty times the amount of filling material used in human dental work due to the scale of the tusk. While veterinarians noted that long-term guarantees for normal tusk regrowth cannot be provided, Simon remains under observation and is receiving pain medication.

## Claims

- Simon, a two-year-old elephant, injured his tusk while playing at the Berlin Zoo. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The broken tusk exposed the dental pulp, creating a medical emergency. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Yves Debosschere, a specialist from Belgium, performed the surgery. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The procedure involved X-raying the tusk, preparing the tissue, and sealing the wound. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Treating the dental pulp within 48 hours offers the best chance to keep the tissue vital. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Anesthesia for an elephant is not a routine matter. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-15: Tierpark Berlin elephant undergoes emergency tusk surgery

A two-year-old elephant named Simon at Tierpark Berlin underwent emergency tusk surgery by a Belgian specialist to treat a broken tusk and exposed pulp. The elephant is recovering well.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/berlin-zoo-elephant-undergoes-emergency-tusk-surgery

### 2026-09-30: Zoo Zlín elephant Kali dies after complex surgery

An elephant named Kali has died at Zoo Zlín following a complex surgery to treat a severe tusk infection and abscess.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zoo-zln-elephant-kali-dies-after-complex-surgery

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Cite as: Elephant tusk surgery at Berlin Zoo. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/elephant-tusk-surgery-at-berlin-zoo