The 150-kilogram middle-aged lion underwent a three-hour operation yesterday to remove a hanging testicle. Vets noticed something was wrong with the six-year-old lion late last year and all indications pointed to cancer. Senior veterinarian Ian Smith said Mujambi had enlarged mammary glands and was producing lots of estrogen.
"We've been suspicious of it since December," Dr Smith said today. Dr Smith said only one testicle was in the scrotum. The problematic teste hung outside the scrotum and, as testicles were designed to work below body temperature, this prevented it from cooling and operating as it should. Dr Smith said the tumour had not spread, but only further tests would confirm it was definitively cancerous. "If it's a testicular tumour then taking the tumour out should be curative," Dr Smith said.