Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Buffalo Zoo is mourning the death of their male silverback gorilla, Koga, who died Wednesday of a cardiac issue. He was 36.
"We are all devastated by the loss of Koga," says Buffalo Zoo CEO Lisa Smith. "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 lived the first seven years of his life at the Bronx Zoo, where he was born. He then moved to the Memphis Zoo, where he lived for the next 13 years before coming to Buffalo in 2007.
The Zoo says Koga had been under veterinary care for heart disease for many years.
In lieu of flowers, the Zoo says donations in Koga’s honor will be accepted and used toward gorilla care at the zoo and in the wild.