Buffalo Zoo’s Silverback Western Lowland Gorilla Has Died: ‘We Are All Devastated’

The Buffalo Zoo in New York has announced the death of a male silver-necked western lowland gorilla named Koga.

The primate died on Wednesday at the age of 36 from a heart attack. The news of his death was announced by the institution on Thursday.

According to PBS, gorillas can live 35 to 40 years in the wild. The zoo adds that the average lifespan of male gorillas is 32.7 years.

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Koga was born in captivity at the Bronx Zoo on Aug. 14, 1987. At age 7, the primate was moved to the Memphis Zoo where he lived for 13 years before finding his home at the Buffalo Zoo in April 2007, they said. from the institution. in a statement shared on their official website.

Koga, the silver-faced western lowland gorilla.

Buffalo Zoo

“We are all devastated by the loss of Koga,” said Lisa Smith, president and CEO of the Buffalo Zoo.

“Our staff always feel the loss of any animal that dies, but it is especially difficult when it is a charismatic, intelligent, beloved animal like Koga who was a major part of our Zoo community. Koga touched the hearts of so many visitors and staff, and we will miss him dearly,” Smith continued. “During his time in Buffalo, as an ambassador for his species, Koga inspired and impacted more than 6 million Zoo visitors.”

According to their statement, which they also shared on their Facebook account, gorillas are highly social and complex animals, and males tend to lead multi-female troops.

Because of their close relationships with each other, the remaining female group will be closely monitored by the zoo’s animal care staff with assistance from Canisius College’s Animal Behavior, Ecology and Conservation Program.

Buffalo Zoo.

Shutterstock

During his 17 years at the Buffalo Zoo, Koga fathered three infants. Amari, 13, and Kayin, 8, were recently placed in other zoos. Nyah, 10, still lives at the Buffalo Zoo with two adult females, Sidney, 26, and Lily, 23.

This was done with the help of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Western Lowland Gorilla Species Survival Plan (SSP).

Although Koga’s death was sudden, the silver-faced gorilla had been under veterinary care for years due to a heart condition. The Buffalo Zoo credits its staff and treatments for allowing him to survive middle age.

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On the zoo’s Facebook profile, users looked back on the moments when they were able to see him in person and expressed their sympathy for the zookeepers who took care of Koga for years.

Koga, the silver-faced western lowland gorilla.

Buffalo Zoo

“I just saw him last Saturday. He looked as regal as ever as he surveyed the enclosure keeping an eye on his troops. A magnificent animal and a real loss to our zoo,” one person wrote.

Another recalled how their young son “called him ‘Daddy’ when he first started talking, which shows how tender his soul was.”

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), wild western lowland gorillas are critically endangered. Due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching, illegal hunting for the meat trade and new diseases, their population has declined by more than 60 percent in the past 25 years.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the Buffalo Zoo says donations in Koga’s memory will be accepted and used to care for the gorillas at the zoo and in the wild at buffalozoo.org/donate.

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Source: HIS Education