Poignant last photo of oldest gorilla in Britain at age of 57
IN a heartbreaking scene, leading conservationist Damian Aspinall says goodbye to Babydoll, Britain’s oldest gorilla, as she dies at 57. The western lowland gorilla, whom he had hand-reared, had recently become ill.
He said her dedicated keepers had given her the best treatment available, but she had to be euthanised after refusing to eat four days and attempts to syringe feed her failed.
Mr Aspinall is chairman of the Aspinall Foundation, which owns Howletts Wild Animal Park in Canterbury, Kent, where Babydoll lived.
He and his wife Victoria had a close bond with the ape, who had seven offspring and was only a year older than Mr Aspinall himself. She was named after her habit of sucking her thumb.
Mr Aspinall, who posted several videos to Instagram showing the gorilla’s final hours, said he had had to make the ‘horrible decision’ to have her put down by the park’s vet. It is understood she died in Mr Aspinall’s arms.
He added: ‘I have many memories of her from
my childhood to now and will never forget her. She had the sweetest nature.’
Park staff are visibly upset in footage of her treatment and physical decline.
Mr Aspinall initially posted: ‘ Babydoll is gravely ill and not eating. I needed to give some TLC. We are all very worried.’
When asked what was wrong with her, he replied: ‘Afraid it is just old age.’
He then uploaded a video of himself trying to feed the gorilla through a syringe, adding: ‘I managed to get a little orange juice and tiny bits of yoghurt on a straw into Babydoll. Breaking my heart to see her like this.’
He then added: ‘Babydoll slipping away can’t get her to eat and only tiny amounts to drink.
‘With a very heavy heart I may have to euthanise her to stop her suffering. Heartbroken.’
His wife added: ‘Although she was too old to release, her offspring have successfully lived to be set free. We will miss those gorilla gurgles, her love for apple blossom and cheddar cheese. A kind old lady with an enormous appetite.’
Babydoll was orphaned in Cameroon, but went on to have four male children and three females in captivity.