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World’s oldest male Gorilla dead in Georgia’s Atlanta zoo

The death of the world’s oldest male gorilla Ozzie was announced by Zoo Atlanta, located in the state of Georgia’s capital city, on Tuesday, APA reports.

According to the statement, Ozzie died at the age of 61, quite a venerable age for the species, which tend to live just 35-40 years in the wild, per scientists. Ozzie was the oldest gorilla at Zoo Atlanta and the third-oldest gorilla in the world, according to the statement.

Ozzie’s body was discovered on Tuesday by his care staff. The zoo said that last Thursday, January 20, he showed signs of diminished appetite, and the Animal Care and Veterinary Teams provided him with supportive care to encourage the gorilla to eat and drink. The teams are said to have treated him for the past 24 hours after he displayed symptoms such as face swelling, weakness, and an inability to eat or drink.

“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,” Raymond B. King, president and CEO of the zoo is quoted as saying. “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.”

Source: Azeri-Press News Agency