The Calgary Zoo has announced a member of its western lowland gorilla troop has unexpectedly passed away.
The zoo hasn’t provided any additional details on which of the gorilla’s passed away or a cause of death, but has scheduled a news conference with the Director of Animal Care, Health and Welfare, Colleen Baird, for Tuesday afternoon (Nov. 12, 2024)
Prior to the announcement of the gorilla’s death, the zoo was home to seven western lowland gorillas, including:
- Yewande, a 16-year-old, female ho was born at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo on May 15, 2008.
- Jasiri, a 26-year-old, male silverback who was born at Zoo Atlanta on June 21, 1998 and arrived in Calgary in June 2019 from Zoo Atlanta.
- Zuri, a 27-year-old, female, born at Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Park on December 31, 1996 and came to the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo on April 26, 2001.
- Kioja, a 23-year-old, female, born at the Bronx Zoo on January 24, 2001 and came to the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo on May 21, 2009.
- Dossi, a 23-year-old, female, born at the Bronx Zoo on February 4, 2001 and came to the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo on May 21, 2009.
- Eyare, a 2-year-old, female, born at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo on April 20, 2022.
- Okabe, 1-year-old male, born at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo on May 24, 2023.
According to the zoo’s website, western lowland gorillas are the smallest of the gorilla species, standing between 1.2 and 1.5 metres tall and weighing between 68 and 181 kilograms.
They are considered a critically endangered species native to the tropical rainforests of central and western Africa.
They live together in close-knit family groups, a gorilla troop is led by a dominant male called a silverback who has a saddle of silver hair on the small of his back.
More to come….