Choomba, “one of the founding members of the gorilla population at the Atlanta Zoo,” was euthanized Thursday at age 59, the zoo announced on its website.
The veterinary team “had been monitoring Choomba closely for the past few days following a sharp decline in his physical condition due to advanced arthritis and other age-related complications,” said a zoo statement.
“Given her poor prognosis and with concern for her comfort and quality of life, the teams made the extremely difficult decision of euthanasia,” the statement reads.
Choomba arrived at the Atlanta Zoo in the 1980s and was the matriarch of four generations of gorillas, the zoo’s statement said.
The gorilla was the mother of Machi, Kudzoo, and Sukari; they all still live in the zoo. But “her descendants include grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild who lives in accredited zoos around the US,” the statement said.
“Choomba lived in a senior social group with Ozzie, who at 61 is the world’s oldest living male gorilla,” the zoo said.
“This is an extremely difficult day for the Atlanta Zoo and especially for Choomba’s care team, who knew her intimately, saw and cared for her daily with the utmost dedication,” said Jennifer Mickelberg, PhD, vice president of zoo collections and conservation.
“Choomba leaves a tremendous legacy on the Atlanta Zoo, on the gorilla population in zoos across North America, and on the hearts of those who knew her best,” said Mickelberg.
This content was originally created in English.
original version
Reference: CNN Brasil
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