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left-of-center2012

(34,195 posts)
Wed Jan 26, 2022, 06:17 PM Jan 2022

World's oldest gorilla dead at 61

OZZIE, the world's oldest male gorilla was found dead at Zoo Atlanta on Tuesday. He was 61-years-old. The primate had tested positive for Covid-19 last year along with a group of other gorillas, however, it’s unknown if the sickness led to his eventual passing.

“While we knew this time would come someday, that inevitability does nothing to stem the deep sadness we feel at losing a legend,” said President and CEO Raymond B. King. "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."

Zoo vets had noticed that Ozzie seemed to be losing his appetite last week, however, he was still encouraged to eat and drink. Last September, Ozzie and at least 8 other gorillas at Zoo Atlanta tested positive for Covid. The animals faced similar symptoms to humans such as runny noses, coughing and sneezing.

Ozzie first arrived at the zoo in 1988. In 2009, he helped achieve a scientific milestone when he became the first gorilla to receive a blood pressure reading. He was 48-years-old at the time and was considered geriatric.

https://www.the-sun.com/news/4541224/ozzie-zoo-atlanta-oldest-gorilla-dead/

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World's oldest gorilla dead at 61 (Original Post) left-of-center2012 Jan 2022 OP
R.I.P. Ozzie StarryNite Jan 2022 #1
Oldest one in captivity malaise Jan 2022 #2
Unlikely. Act_of_Reparation Jan 2022 #3
AND no predators. nt eppur_se_muova Jan 2022 #5
I'd prefer to die younger in freedom malaise Jan 2022 #6
He spent half his life in a zoo.. secondwind Jan 2022 #4
What a beautiful creature. MontanaMama Jan 2022 #7
Maybe Betty greeted him. hamsterjill Jan 2022 #10
If he had a spouse ... left-of-center2012 Jan 2022 #8
Gorgeous!!! He'll be missed! Karadeniz Jan 2022 #9

Act_of_Reparation

(9,116 posts)
3. Unlikely.
Wed Jan 26, 2022, 06:41 PM
Jan 2022

Animals don't live nearly as long in the wild as they do in captivity. There's something to be said for three square a day and easy access to medical professionals.

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