Oldest living gorilla celebrates 69th birthday at Berlin Zoo
Fatou, the world’s oldest living gorilla in captivity, celebrates her 69th birthday at the Berlin Zoo with a special display of food.
Congrats are in order for Fatou, who is celebrating her 69th birthday and holding onto her title as the oldest gorilla in human care in the world.
“Gorilla Fatou is making history once again: the senior celebrates her 69th birthday today,” Berlin Zoo said in an April 13 post on Facebook.
The western lowland gorilla, who was born in 1957 somewhere in West Africa, according to Guinness World Records and DW, also became the facility’s oldest resident, the zoo said.
“With her remarkable age, she is a special ambassador for conservation and represents her critically endangered species in the wild,” the zoo said.
Fatou is an ambassador for her species
Fatou arrived in Europe in 1959 at the port of Marseilles in the luggage of a French sailor, who later gave her to a landlady after he found himself unable to pay his bill at a tavern. From there, she ended up in the German capital and arrived at Zoo Berlin the same year, DW reported, citing Berlin Zoo.
However, Berlin Zoo spokesperson Philine Hachmeister, in an April 14 email to USA TODAY, said that while the zoo is sure Fatou came to West Berlin in 1959 as a two year old, the story of “how she got there is more a legend and could not be fact checked so far from the documents we have in our possession.”
“Therefore, it remains somewhat of a mystery,” Hachmeister said.
“Fatou is a fascinating haven of peace at Zoo Berlin and captivates our guests with her dignified manner,” Zoo and Tierpark Director Dr. Andreas Knieriem said in a statement. “Over many decades, she has inspired countless people and is therefore an important ambassador for the protection of the western lowland gorillas.”
Knieriem highlighted that western lowland gorillas “are threatened with extinction due to habitat destruction and poaching, among other things,” and animals like Fatou “can make it clear how important it is to take responsibility for endangered species and protect their natural habitats.”
Western lowland gorillas typically don’t live past their 40s in the wild, and while in captivity, they can live up to 50, which is considered advanced old age. However, Fatou has already surpassed the norm.
Fatou had one daughter, one granddaughter and several great-grandchildren, including Berlin Zoo’s gorilla Bokito, Hachmeister said.
Fatou’s ‘individual needs’ have changed, zoo says
Berlin Zoo said Fatou’s “care is continuously adapted to her individual needs,” such as “plenty of opportunities for retreat as well as targeted enrichment to support both her physical and mental well-being.”
Fatou’s health is meticulously monitored by a team of veterinarians, curators and animal keepers, who continuously adapt her care to her needs.
Fatou’s diet has also been adjusted according to her age, with fruit no longer on the menu due to high sugar content, which can promote health risks such as obesity or metabolic diseases. It now consists of several small meals throughout the day, with each involving selected feed.
“At this age, it is particularly important to take a close look and respond to the animal individually,” curator Dr. Jennifer Hahn said in a statement. “We are watching Fatou very closely and are continuously adapting her care to her needs. This also includes enabling it to retreat sufficiently. She lives in her own enclosure, away from the lively gorilla group, and thus has the peace and quiet she deserves in her old age.”
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@usatodayco.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.