SAN DIEGO (CNS) – The San Diego Zoo announced Wednesday the death of Maka, a 30-year-old Western lowland gorilla, just days after staff made the decision to compassionately euthanize some of its longest-tenured animals.
Maka was diagnosed with chromosomal abnormalities when he was just 5 years old, but had been able to live a relatively healthy and happy life “exceeding expectations and living with grace and vitality for decades,” the zoo said in a statement. Recently, however, the gorilla had been experiencing seizures. During a routine exam this week, Maka suffered cardiac arrest and died Monday surrounded by the zoo’s veterinary team.
The gorilla was born at the San Diego Zoo and was “the heart” of the zoo’s bachelor troop, serving as guide and mentor to his younger brothers Ekuba and Denny. His brothers were given the opportunity to spend time with Maka after his passing…