Two Columbus bonobos become first to receive implanted heart monitors

Why it matters: Bonobos are endangered and one of our closest living relatives, sharing 98% of DNA with humans — plus the same cardiac conditions that threaten our health.

Yes, and: Doctors implanted monitors in four other critically endangered apes: female orangutan Dumplin, 48, and male Sulango, 29, along with silverback gorillas Mac, 38, and Ktembe, 25.

How it works: A receiver will upload data from the cardiac monitors to Detroit via cell phone signals, where experts will alert Columbus veterinarians if irregular heartbeats or other anomalies occur.

• The monitors are the same devices used in humans, about a third of the size of a AAA battery.

What they're saying: This breakthrough will not only help the apes, but "provide critical knowledge to advance veterinary care for their species,” senior zoo veterinarian Priya Bapodra-Villaverde said in a statement.

🐵 Fun fact: Just eight U.S. zoos house bonobos. Two are in Ohio — Columbus and Cincinnati.