The world’s oldest male gorilla, 61-year-old Ozzie, was found dead by his care team in his habitat at Zoo Atlanta on Tuesday.
Ozzie’s cause of death is not yet known and zoo officials are still awaiting the results of a necropsy, though the western lowland gorilla, who is also the third-oldest gorilla in the world, was diagnosed with COVID-19 this past September.
He had mild symptoms, and was later able to get better. It is not known if the virus caused his death.
A press release by Zoo Atlanta stated that Ozzie was experiencing decreased appetite and difficulty eating. He suffered from worsening symptoms, including general weakness and facial swelling that became more severe over the 24-hour period leading up to his death.
‘Our hearts are broken at the passing of a legend. Zoo Atlanta is devastated to share that Ozzie, the world’s oldest male gorilla, has died at 61,’ Zoo Atlanta posted on Twitter on Tuesday.
Ozzie (61), the oldest gorilla male in the world, was discovered dead at Zoo Atlanta by his team of care on Tuesday. The photo above shows him with the giant cake his care team made.
Ozzie’s cause of death is not yet known and zoo officials are still awaiting the results of a necropsy. The above photo shows him celebrating his 52nd year in 2013.
Ozzie is the only remaining member of the original west lowland group who came to Zoo Atlanta in 1988 with The Ford African Rain Forest.
By taking a voluntary blood pressure test, he made history in zoology in 2009.
Ozzie is the third-oldest gorilla in the World, after Fatou (64-years-old) of Berlin Zoo, Germany and Helen (63 years-old), both of Louisville Zoo, Kentucky.
“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,” Zoo Atlanta President and CEO Raymond B. In a statement, King stated.
“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.
The zoo attributed Ozzie’s ‘incredible longevity’ to the ‘care, expertise, and significant innovations of the Zoo’s Gorilla Care Team’
Ozzie was one of 13 gorillas at Zoo Atlanta who tested positive for COVID-19 this past September. He had mild symptoms and was now well. It is not known if the virus caused his death.
According to Zoo Atlanta officials, Ozzie was one 13 gorillas that tested positive for COVID-19 during September. The employees noticed that gorillas were coughing up, having runny noses, and showing changes in their appetites. An examination by the University of Georgia’s veterinarian lab revealed positive results for respiratory illnesses.
Officials at the Zoo said that they believe the virus was passed to the animals by a staff member who had been vaccinated. This employee was covered with gloves and mask.
According to Dr. Sam Rivera of the Zoo’s Senior Director of Animal Health, Atlanta’s gorillas were the second infected group by COVID-19 after the San Diego Zoo Safari Park had treated eight of them last January.
Ozzie’s passing comes only weeks after Choomba at Zoo Atlanta was put to death at 59.
Rivera stated that it is impossible for infected animals to be kept apart because the gorillas are so close together. The Atlanta zoo is going to administer the veterinary vaccine. Zoo Atlanta has vaccinated its Sumatran, Sumatran, Sumatran, Sumatran, Sumatran, Sumatran, Sumatran, African and Clouded leopards.
Ozzie’s legacy lives on at Zoo Atlanta with his daughter Kuchi; his sons Kekla, Stadi, and Charlie; his granddaughter Lulu; his great-granddaughter Andi, and his great-grandson Floyd. There are many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and children who have been able to survive him at the other accredited zoos throughout America and Canada.
The zoo attributed Ozzie’s ‘incredible longevity’ to the ‘care, expertise, and significant innovations of the Zoo’s Gorilla Care Team’ and its experience caring for senior gorillas, which are considered geriatric after turning 40.
Just weeks ago, Ozzie died after Choomba at Zoo Atlanta, who was the fourth-oldest gorilla in the world at 59, had been euthanized.
Veterinary staff had been monitoring Choomba following a ‘marked decline in her physical condition due to advanced arthritis and other age-related complications,’ read a statement from the zoo.
‘Given her poor prognosis and with concern for her comfort and quality of life, the teams made the extremely difficult decision to euthanize her on January 13,” the statement continued.
According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the western lowland rhinoceros is critically endangered. Over a period of 25 years, the combination of poaching, disease, habitat loss, illegal hunting for bushmeat and illegal poaching have all contributed to reducing the Western Lowland Gorilla population by 60%.