An endangered lion that has suffered with recurring ear problems looks set to roar back into action following a CAT scan at <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/europe/london-zoo-launches-campaign-for-wildlife-pandemic-research-1.1005677" target="_blank">London Zoo</a>. Twelve-year-old <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/asia/the-asiatic-lion-thrives-in-gujarat-s-gir-forest-reserve-1.719996" target="_blank">Asiatic lion</a> Bhanu had frequent pain in his left ear canal and attempts to resolve the issue, including specialist ear examinations and cleaning, failed. Now, however, vets at London Zoo have formulated a treatment plan after hiring a CAT scanner for the first time, to “find out what was causing the problem and urgently rule out any worst-case scenarios”. Taina Strike, the zoo’s senior veterinary officer, said: “We wanted to devise the best long-term treatment plan for Bhanu, but we first had to find out what was causing the problem and urgently rule out any worst-case scenarios, such as a tumour or a deep-seated infection, which would show up on a CAT scan immediately. “Bhanu is an important member of the European-wide breeding programme for endangered Asiatic lions and deserves the very best care, so we arranged the full VIP treatment, bringing a CAT scanner to a big cat for the first time, so we could see deeper into his ear without him needing to travel.” Australian diagnostic imaging specialist David Reese was present via video-link and quickly identified the problem — Bhanu has a narrow left ear canal which is more prone to blockages and infections. The team have now created a long-term treatment plan for his care, in which he will receive oral medication to reduce inflammation in his ear canal and antifungal medicines to deal with infection. The 180-kilogram lion was anaesthetised before being lifted on to the scanner by six team members.