Gorilla was one of zoo’s original residents
Loss of Josephine ‘is felt deeply in our extensive zoo family’
Josephine, a 49-year-old gorilla and one of the few remaining original residents at the Toronto Zoo, has died.
The Western lowland gorilla failed to respond to treatment and was humanely euthanized on Sunday, the zoo announced. She was with her daughter, Johari, and her keepers.
“A post mortem investigation is currently underway to understand more about Josephine’s failing health condition,” the zoo said in a statement.
“This loss is felt deeply in our extensive zoo family, which includes our volunteers, members, and guests, and we are grateful for the expertise and compassion shown to her and her whole troop during this difficult time,” the statement said.
“The gorilla troop was provided opportunity to visit with Josephine’s body and mourn afterwards, which was important to support the gorilla troop dynamic and provide closure as they carry on without her.”
Josephine arrived at the Toronto Zoo from Gabon, West Africa, on May 9, 1974, before the zoo opened in August. She gave birth to five offspring and is grandmother to five gorillas at zoos throughout North America.
She was one of the oldest gorillas living in a zoo in North America, the zoo said. The average lifespan for her species is 35 years.
Josephine was a critical connection for visitors to conservation issues such as loss of habitat, the zoo said.
Donations to support the Toronto Zoo’s gorilla troop can be made in her memory at wildlifeconservancy.ca/donate.