The Buffalo Zoo announced the death of its male silverback western lowland gorilla named Koga.
The zoo said Koga, who was 36 years old, died on Wednesday due to a cardiac event.
“We are all devastated by the loss of Koga. 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.”
– Lisa Smith, President and CEO of the Buffalo Zoo
Buffalo Zoo Koga was born August 14th, 1987, at the Bronx Zoo and spent the first seven years of his life there before moving to the Memphis Zoo. He lived at the Memphis Zoo for 13 years and arrived at the Buffalo Zoo in April of 2007.
The zoo said Koga’s death was unexpected but he had been under veterinary care for heart disease for many years. The median life expectancy for male gorillas is 32.7 years.
Buffalo Zoo According to the zoo, Koga fathered three offspring during his 17 years at the Buffalo Zoo. Two of them, Amari (13) and Kayin (8), moved to other zoo but Nyah (10) is still here in Buffalo.