World’s oldest male gorilla dies, Zoo Atlanta says. Officials don’t know why
Ozzie, the world’s oldest male gorilla, was found dead at Zoo Atlanta on Jan. 25.
He was 61 years old. Officials announced the loss the same day but said it was unknown what caused his death.
“He exhibited decreased appetite last Thursday, January 20, and the Animal Care and Veterinary Teams were providing him with supportive care to encourage him to eat and drink,” the zoo said in a release. “Over the past 24 hours, the teams had been treating him when he presented symptoms including facial swelling, weakness, and inability to eat or drink.”
The University of Georgia Zoo and Exotic Animal Pathology Service in the College of Veterinary Medicine will perform a necropsy, similar to an autopsy, on the gorilla to determine the cause of death, the zoo said.
Western lowland gorillas like Ozzie are critically endangered, according to the zoo, with declines in the species’ population between 60% to 90% in certain areas of the world.
“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, said. “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.”
Ozzie left behind one daughter, three sons, one granddaughter; and two great-grandchildren at Zoo Atlanta, according to the release. He also had other children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren living at other zoos. He was the last surviving member of the original generation of gorillas who were brought to the Zoo’s Ford African Rain Forest in 1988.
Gorillas are considered geriatric by age 40, so Ozzie lived over 20 years as an elder of his species and participated in voluntary blood pressure readings at the zoo, according to officials. He was the third-oldest gorilla in the world.
“Ozzie’s incredible longevity is a testament to the care, expertise, and significant innovations of the Zoo’s Gorilla Care Team, which has become renowned for the care of geriatric gorillas,” the zoo said. “The team is frequently sought out and shadowed by professionals at other organizations for their advancements in positive reinforcement training and for their leadership in devising habitat and space accommodations for senior gorillas.”
In total, 24 gorillas have been born at iZoo Atlanta. The animals face threats of poaching, habitat loss and disease in the wild.
The zoo will update the public on why Ozzie died after it receives information from the necropsy, staff say.
This story was originally published January 26, 2022 at 2:20 PM with the headline "World’s oldest male gorilla dies, Zoo Atlanta says. Officials don’t know why."
