Ozzie, the world's oldest male gorilla and the third-oldest gorilla in the world, was found deceased on Tuesday, the zoo in Atlanta said. Ozzie was 61. Gorillas are considered geriatric once they're 40 years old.
While the cause of death is not officially known, Ozzie was experiencing symptoms such as decreased appetite, facial swelling and weakness over the last few days of his life. Zoo Atlanta, in partnership with the University of Georgia's veterinary medicine program, will perform a necropsy that will be shared with the public, they said in a statement
"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," said Raymond B. King, president and CEO of the zoo.
"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."
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