One of the Calgary Zoo’s western lowland gorillas is fighting for its life.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that our 19 year-old female western lowland gorilla Zuri is in very poor health,” the zoo said in a statement.
Staff recently noticed subtle behaviour changes in Zuri’s appetite and activity level.
Advanced tests conducted Wednesday revealed the gorilla had a severe abdominal infection that required emergency surgery.
“Due to her compromised state, her recovery has been very slow, and she is still in critical condition,” the zoo said. “Our animal care team continues to keep a close watch on her and we will provide updates when we can.”
Zuri came to the Calgary Zoo from Toronto in April 2001.
She gave birth to her first baby in 2006. Mother and child were doing well at first, but the newborn died 12 days later after Zuri’s more dominant half-sister began taking the infant away and Zuri stopped nursing the baby.
Zuri had a second child, Yewande, in May 2008. Staff said this time around, Zuri displayed appropriate parenting behaviour and was protective of her child.
In addition to Zuri and Yewande, now seven, the zoo’s gorilla troop also consists of new mother 15-year-old Kioja, her yet-to-be-named baby girl, 15-year-old Dossi, and silverback Kakinga, 37.
File photo — Calgary Zoo’s newest arrival spends its first day with mom Zuri, who gave birth at 3 a.m. May 15, 2008.
