World’s oldest male gorilla, aged 61, dies in US zoo
- Ozzie leaves behind ‘indelible contributions’ in the gorilla population, and in the knowledge gained during the care of his species, CEO of Atlanta zoo said
- He was a Western lowland gorilla, a species that is critically endangered; the animals have been targeted by poachers and affected by habitat loss
The world’s oldest male gorilla and the third-oldest gorilla in the world has died at the age of 61.
Ozzie was “found deceased by his care team” on Tuesday, Zoo Atlanta confirmed in a news release. His cause of death is not yet known, though he had recently exhibited a decreased appetite, facial swelling and weakness.
A necropsy, the equivalent of an autopsy for a gorilla, will be performed on Ozzie, the zoo confirmed.
“This is a devastating loss for Zoo Atlanta. While we knew this time would come someday, that inevitability does nothing to stem the deep sadness we feel at losing a legend,” Raymond B King, president and CEO of Zoo Atlanta, said in the news release.
“Ozzie’s life’s contributions are indelible, in the generations of individuals he leaves behind in the gorilla population and in the world’s body of knowledge in the care of his species. Our thoughts are with his care team, who have lost a part of their lives and a part of their hearts,” he added.
Ozzie made history in 2009, after becoming the “first gorilla in the world ever to participate in a voluntary blood pressure reading,” according to the zoo. Zoo Atlanta noted that gorillas are considered geriatric after the age of 40.
A group of gorillas at the zoo, including Ozzie, tested positive for Covid-19 last year. Officials said he showed mild symptoms during his infection.