Additional Coverage:
- Winston, one of the world’s oldest silverbacks, dies at age 52 at San Diego Safari Park (newsbreak.com)
July 15 (UPI) — Winston, a venerable silverback gorilla known for his gentle nature, has passed away at 52, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance announced. Winston, a western lowland gorilla, was put to rest on Saturday at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park due to a long-standing decline in his health that worsened recently. The zoo, where Winston had lived since 1984, shared a tribute on Facebook, hailing him for his “quiet strength, easygoing nature, and heart of gold.”
As the leader of the Gorilla Forest habitat’s troop, Winston was not only a biological father to nine offspring but also adopted two unrelated male gorillas, demonstrating his compassionate spirit. Remarkably, Winston was among the first great apes known to have contracted and recovered from COVID-19.
Winston’s health issues, primarily heart-related, had been a concern since 2017. Cardiovascular disease is notably the leading cause of death among captive great apes, according to the park’s website. Over the years, he had received treatment for various age-related ailments, including joint degeneration and kidney disease.
Deciding to euthanize Winston was a profoundly difficult choice made by zoo staff, prioritizing his quality of life after observing the progressive complications of his illnesses. The zoo noted his endearing qualities, describing him as “the best of us,” and underscored his enduring legacy in the field of gorilla conservation, which will benefit future generations of great apes globally.