ESCONDIDO, Calif. — A western lowland gorilla has died at 37 years old at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, the organization confirmed in a social media post on Saturday.
Paul Donn, the leader of the Safari Park’s gorilla troop, died suddenly on Friday, May 15, after his wildlife caretakers noticed a decline in his appetite. Despite immediate treatments and dedicated efforts from his care team, Donn died with care specialists by his side.
Donn was born at the Safari Park. He spent more than 20 years as a member of the San Diego Zoo’s gorilla troop before his return to the Safari Park, where he became a silverback after the death of Winston, another western lowland gorilla who died in July 2024 due to a string of age-related conditions. From there, Donn carried the legacy of Winston, whose presence touched every part of the Safari Park’s gorilla conservation program…