The western lowland gorilla, affectionately called the 'Grand Dame,' was 64, outliving the typical median life expectancy of female zoo gorillas, which is just 39 years.
the death of the world's second-oldest gorilla, Helen, on Friday. The western lowland gorilla, affectionately called the"Grand Dame," was 64, outliving the typical median life expectancy of female zoo gorillas, which is just 39 years.
"Helen enjoyed remarkably good health for most of her life, with only expected age-related arthritis and some periodontal disease," the zoo said in a press release."However, she recently developed increasing instability and tremors. This put her at greater risk of falling which impacted her day-to-day welfare."
Because of her decline, her caregivers made the decision to euthanize her on Friday, according to the press release. Helen was born in West Africa and moved to the Louisville Zoo in 2002 from a zoo in Chicago. She was a mother of three, a grandmother of 17, a great-grandmother of 21, a great-great-grandmother of 8, and finally, a great-great-great-grandmother of one, according to the press release. Her great-grandchild, Bengati, and great-great-grandchild, Kindi, also live at the zoo.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of female gorilla, Helen. Affectionately called the “Grand Dame” of the gorilla world, Helen was much celebrated at 64-years-old. She long impressed Zoo fans with her big personality and longevity.
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