Buffalo Zoo mourns loss of popular gorilla
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Koga, a popular silverback gorilla who had resided at the Buffalo Zoo for nearly 17 years, died Wednesday, the zoo announced. He was 36 years old.
Koga was born at the Bronx Zoo in 1987 and eventually came to Buffalo in 2007, where he fathered three offspring.
Koga (Photo: Buffalo Zoo) Koga (Photo: Buffalo Zoo)
The zoo said his cause of death was a cardiac event, and that he had been under veterinary care for heart disease for years. The median life expectancy for male gorillas is 32.7 years, according to the zoo.
“We are all devastated by the loss of Koga,” Buffalo Zoo President and CEO Lisa Smith said in a release. “Our staff always feel the loss of any animal that dies, but it is especially hard when it is a charismatic, intelligent, well-loved animal like Koga who was a staple of our Zoo community. Koga touched the hearts of so many visitors and staff alike, he will be greatly missed.”
The zoo said they will give “even more love and attention” to the rest of its gorilla troop in the coming days as they mourn the loss of Koga. Sidney (26), Lily (23) and Nyah (10) are the three remaining female gorillas at the zoo.
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