World’s first gorilla born in zoo, dies at age 60

At 60, Colo was the oldest zoo gorilla on record and exceeded her normal life expectancy by more than two decades, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium said. On Dec 22, Colo celebrated her 60th birthday surrounded by thousands of fans and with birthday wishes coming from around the world. 

“Colo touched the hearts of generations of people who came to see her and those that cared for her over her long lifetime,” said Tom Stalf, president and CEO of the zoo. “She was an ambassador for gorillas and inspired people to learn more about the critically endangered species and motivated them to protect gorillas in their native habitat,” Stalf said.

History was made when Colo was born at the Columbus Zoo on Dec 22, 1956. She was the first zooborn gorilla in an era when little was known about conserving the  western lowland gorilla. 

Colos first keeper, veterinary student named Warren Thomas, was credited for both Colos birth and her survival. He defied orders from then zoo Director Earl Davis to keep Colos parents, Baron Macombo and Millie Christina, apart. 

Despite Davis concerns that his prized gorillas would hurt each other if kept together, Thomas allowed them to spend time together, which resulted in the birth of Colo. Thomas also found Colo, still in her amniotic sac, shortly after birth and provided mouth-tomouth resuscitation to revive the lifeless baby. 

Colo will be cremated and her ashes buried at an undisclosed location at the Columbus Zoo. Prior to cremation, the zoo will conduct a complete postmortem examination to further define the cause of death. A malignant tumour was removed from under her arm on Dec 3, 2016. At that time surgeons felt they obtained clean, wide margins when they removed the mass and until a necropsy (animal autopsy) is performed it is unknown if the cancer contributed to her death. 

Blood and tissue samples will also be collected to benefit the world zoo community's efforts to learn more about this endangered species. “She was the coolest animal I have ever worked with and caring for her was the highlight of my career,” said assistant curator Audra Meinelt.