BUFFALO, N.Y. (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — Beloved 36-year-old silverback gorilla Koga, who has resided at the Buffalo Zoo for nearly 17 years, passed away on Wednesday, zoo officials announced.
A silverback western lowland gorilla, Koga was born in the Bronx Zoo in 1987. He lived in New York City for his first seven years of life before being moved to the Memphis Zoo for 13 years.
Koga found his home at the Buffalo Zoo in April 2007.
"We are all devastated by the loss of Koga," President and CEO of the Buffalo Zoo Lisa Smith said. "Our staff always feel the loss of any animal that dies, but it is especially hard when it is a charismatic, intelligent, well-loved animal like Koga who was a staple of our Zoo community. Koga touched the hearts of so many visitors and staff alike, he will be greatly missed."
Koga died of a cardiac event, following years of veterinary care for heart disease, zoo officials said. The median life expectancy for male gorillas is 32.7.
During his time in Buffalo, Koga fathered three offspring as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Western Lowland Gorilla Species Survival Plan, one of which still lives at the zoo.
According to the Buffalo Zoo, western lowland gorillas are critically endangered in the wild and their population has declined over 60% in the last 25 years. Habitat loss, poaching, illegal hunting for the bushmeat trade and emerging disease have contributed to these population changes, the International Union for Conservation of Nature said.
Gorillas are highly social animals that form male-led troops with multiple females “While our team always takes great care of the animals, [the Zoo’s remaining female troop] will receive even more love and attention from their care team in the coming days,” the Buffalo Zoo said.
Zoo officials said that donations made to the Buffalo Zoo in Koga’s honor will be used toward gorilla care at both the zoo and in the wild. Donations can be made here.