Fatou, the world’s oldest gorilla in captivity, celebrated her 69th birthday at the Berlin Zoo on Monday (Apr 13). Known for her dignified demeanour, the western lowland gorilla marked the milestone by enjoying a special, nutritious feast of vegetables, including beetroot and tomatoes. Fatou has spent more than six decades in the zoo, becoming a mother and grandmother in the process, whilst still being a major crowd-puller.<\/p>\n
“Gorilla Fatou is making history once again: the senior celebrates her 69th birthday today. Fatou, who arrived at Zoo Berlin in 1959, is not only the zoo’s oldest resident but also remains the oldest gorilla in human care worldwide. With her remarkable age, she is a special ambassador for conservation and represents her critically endangered species in the wild,” the Berlin Zoo wrote in an Instagram post.<\/p>\n
Philine Hachmeister, a spokesperson for Zoo Berlin, stated that in human age, Fatou would be more than a hundred years old. She was first recognised <\/a>by Guinness World Records as the World’s Oldest Gorilla in 2019.<\/p>\n “Her care is continuously adapted to her individual needs \u2013 including plenty of opportunities for retreat as well as targeted enrichment to support both her physical and mental well-being. We wish her all the best on her special day!”<\/p>\n