Zakula

Zakula (1968 - 14th December 2018) was a female western lowland gorilla who resided at Pittsburgh Zoo for over 32 years, from the 12th August 1986 until her death in 2018. She was born in the wild in Africa in 1968 and was transferred to Edmonton's Polar Park on the 15th June 1970. She remained at Edmonton's Polar Park for sixteen years until she was transferred to Pittsburgh Zoo in 1986. She resided at Pittsburgh Zoo for the remainder of her life, dying on the 14 December 2018, at the age of 50. At the time of her death, she was believed to be the ninth oldest living gorilla in the world, after Fatou, Trudy, Helen, Ozoum, Old Bob & Choomba. At the time of her death, she was believed to be the seventh oldest gorilla in North America, after Trudy, Helen, Ozoum and Choomba and two others. Zakula had three children, Mrithi (born 1992), Kumbuka (born 1996) and Anju (2001-2018) and had five grandchildren. Her favourite food was popcorn. She suffered from arthritis, for which she had to take medication, however she was able to keep up with the troop until shortly before her death. In response to her arthritis, keepers designed a special ramp to improve her accessibility to the outdoor yard, however she still chose to utilise the stairs with the other gorillas. Shortly before her death, in December 2018, it was observed that Zakula preferred to stay inside her room and not join her family in the public indoor or outdoor areas. In response to her failing health, keepers designed a “multi-layer straw and hay bed where she snuggled with her favorite blanket and rested comfortably”. Keepers also “spent time quietly sitting with her and brought her favorite food directly to her.” Due to her declining quality of life and despite the fact she was “in no pain”, the decision was made to euthanise her as “she was no longer able to get up and move”. Zakura was euthanised on the 14th December 2018, at the age of 50. After her death, Pittsburgh Zoo released a statement, saying “Zakula will be deeply missed by her gorilla troop, visitors, keepers, and the entire Zoo team.”