Officials at Zoo Atlanta Mourn Death of Ozzie, World's Oldest Male Gorilla at 61

(Photo : Getty Images)

Ozzie: Third Oldest Gorilla in the World 

Ozzie, a Western lowland gorilla, was said to have lived for over 61 years. He weighed 350 pounds and arrived at the zoo in 1988, according to NBC News.

He was the only surviving member of the original generation of gorillas who arrived at Zoo Atlanta with the opening of the Ford African Rain Forest in 1988.

Ozzie fathered around 12 children at the park, he hated loud music and once tasted cabbage and orange. The gorilla played a huge part in historic writings after he became the first to participate in a voluntary blood pressure reading.

Ozzie was said to have enjoyed his 60th birthday celebration in June with the staff members at the zoo and a multi-tiered ice cake filled with frozen fruit to compliment the celebration.

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What Could Have Caused the Death of Ozzie?

According to People, the gorilla's death is still unknown as a necropsy - the animal equivalent of a human autopsy -  is yet to be performed on the body but according to the zoo officials, from their observation hours before Ozzie's death, he was treated for facial swelling, weakness and an inability to eat or drink.

The gorilla had also tested positive to covid 19 along with 13 others last year and was believed to have contacted the virus from a worker there at the zoo.

Ozzie's necropsy result is being taken care of by the University of Georgia's veterinary college and will be released after it has been completed.

In a statement, park CEO Raymond King said: "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." 

(Photo : Getty Images)

Western Lowland Gorillas Face Possible Extinction

Ozzie belongs to one of the four subspecies of the great ape, these species according to the World Wildlife Fund, a conservation group are highly endangered due to poaching and disease.

As per the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the western lowland gorilla populations have reduced by 60 percent as a result of poaching, unauthorized hunting for the bushmeat trade, loss of habitat and diseases. 

Some parts of the species range in western Africa have recorded declines of up to 90 percent.

Ozzie will forever remain in the heart of many,  although death is inevitable, deep sadness still looms around on the death of a legend.

"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," Raymond King said.

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