Winston, one of world’s oldest gorillas, dies at zoo
Winston, one of the oldest gorillas in the world and a popular fixture at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, has died after experiencing multiple health problems, officials announced. He was 52.
The western lowland silverback was euthanized Saturday after experiencing several age-related conditions, including heart, kidney and joint diseases, Safari Park officials said on Instagram. Visitors to the Southern California park adored him for his quirky but gentle temperament, and scientists treasured him for his contributions to a critically endangered species, including fathering nine offspring, according to zoo officials.
Winston also raised two unrelated male gorillas, an unknown behavior for silverbacks.
“This gentle giant will be remembered for his quiet strength, easygoing nature and heart of gold,” Safari Park officials said. “Winston served as the protector of his family.”
Western lowland gorillas are a critically endangered species in several Central African countries, according to the World Wildlife Fund, a leading conservation nongovernmental organization. How many live in the wild is unknown, but scientists estimate their numbers have fallen by 60% in the past 25 years.
Winston arrived in Southern California in 1984, according to a San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance publication “Wonderful Winston: A truly great ape.” The beloved gorilla has had health complications since at least 2017 when zookeepers noticed symptoms of heart problems. Most great apes in zoos die from cardiovascular disease.
“After careful consideration stemming from furthering complications from his worsening conditions, and with Winston’s quality of life top of mind, wildlife health and care teams made the difficult decision to compassionately euthanize him,” zoo spokesperson Emily Senninger said in a statement.
Western lowland gorillas in the wild typically live 30 to 40 years, according to the Smithsonian. They can live into their 50s in captivity.
The first thing zookeepers noticed about Winston when he arrived in the U.S. from England, where he was raised, was his mean-looking mug, according to a zookeeper publication. The second thing was his gentle nature.
He loved prunes, refused to eat honeydew melon and had a catlike aversion to getting wet. He would walk around puddles or lay down a piece of cardboard to sit on when the ground was wet, according to zookeepers.
The announcement of his death was met by an outpouring of support from fans on Instagram, who shared stories of seeing him.
Elizabeth Washburn, a San Diegobased artist, told USA TODAY about the time she met him.
Washburn was teaching at an art camp at the Safari Park in the early 2000s when a zookeeper invited her and the kids behind a special gate to watch Winston get a vet check.
Washburn, 51, recalled how the full force of his personality was on display in the enclosure. “He came in and made this giant entrance. He ran in and started pounding his chest, and then he immediately came up to the window and looked straight out at us.”