オジー, the world’s oldest male gorilla and the third-oldest gorilla in the world, 火曜日にアトランタ動物園で亡くなりました, 施設発表. 彼がいた 61.
The 350-pound western lowland gorilla’s cause of death is not yet known, the zoo said in a ニュースリリース.
Ozzie was considered a true legend at the zoo and was the only surviving member of the original generation of gorillas who arrived with the opening of its Ford African Rain Forest in 1988, リリースによると.
Last week staff noticed a decline in Ozzie’s appetite and were encouraging him to eat, according to the zoo.
“過去に 24 時間, the teams had been treating him when he presented symptoms including facial swelling, 弱点, and inability to eat or drink,” 読む the release. A necropsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.
Ozzie’s death comes just days after his habitat-mate, チョンバ, was euthanized due to a decline in her health. 彼女はそうだった 59. The two lived together in the same habitat area at Zoo Atlanta and had been together for more than 15 年.
Ozzie was frequently seen by visitors napping in his favorite space — his wood-wool pile. His favorite treats included oranges and cabbage. And he communicated with staff by using “reply” vocalizations and a series of characteristic raps on doors or windows, 彼によると biography on the zoo’s website.
“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. キング, 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.”
The western lowland gorilla is listed as critically endangered, による 世界自然保護基金 (WWF). Due to poaching and disease, the species population declined more than 60% 最後に 20-25 年, according to WWF.
Ozzie has more than 20 descendants, according to the zoo. He is survived by daughter Kuchi; sons Kekla, Stadi, and Charlie; granddaughter Lulu; great-granddaughter Andi, and great-grandson Floyd, all of whom live at Zoo Atlanta, リリースによると. The rest of his offspring live at other accredited zoos in the US and Canada.
