Oldest Gorilla in the World, Colo, Celebrates 60th at Columbus Zoo
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is inviting the public (including everyone with Internet access) to join a birthday celebration of a lifetime: Colo, the famous western lowland gorilla residing at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, is turning the big 6-0!
“Colo has sent shock waves through the field of gorilla conservation since the day she was born,” said Tom Stalf, president and CEO of the Columbus Zoo. “Before her, a gorilla had never been born in a zoo, and before her, so much less was known about gorilla care and welfare. It has been our honor to care for this charismatic and history-making gorilla, who has connected with millions of people and helped inspire them to protect her species.”
The celebration, which will include games, activities, and food specials, will take place from noon to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 22 in the Columbus Zoo’s Congo River Market food court. A webcast will start at 1:30 p.m. with a video about Colo, and she will make her entrance at her habitat in Congo Expedition at 2 p.m. Colo will have the opportunity to explore her decorated habitat, open presents, and enjoy a specially-crafted birthday cake.
To accommodate the growing demand to be a part of Colo’s special day, the Columbus Zoo will again be providing multiple ways to watch the festivities, including a livestream broadcast: http://www.columbuszoo.org/colo. A commemorative video will air from 1:30 p.m. – 2 p.m., and the livestream broadcast will begin at 2 p.m. when Colo joins the celebration. The livestream ends at 2:30 p.m.
A lifetime resident of the Columbus Zoo, Colo has been a celebrity since the day she was born. On Dec. 22, 1956, she became the first gorilla to be born in human care. On her 56th birthday in 2012, she exceeded the record for longest lived gorilla. On her 60th birthday, Colo will have surpassed the median life expectancy for female gorillas in human care (37.5 years) by more than two decades.
In addition to those important milestones, Colo marked the beginning of the Columbus Zoo’s gorilla breeding and surrogacy program – which has since earned a reputation for being one of the best in the world. Colo’s family tree has branched out to four generations, with three children, 16 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
On Dec. 3, Zoo veterinarians, in collaboration with a local cardiologist, anesthesiologist, ultrasound technician, and veterinary surgeon, successfully removed a mass from under Colo’s arm. While biopsy results showed that the mass was a malignant tumor, the medical team was able to remove it with clean, wide margins. The comprehensive medical examination did not indicate the tumor had spread, and no additional treatment is planned.
“Working with Colo has truly been a highlight of my career,” said Audra Meinelt, assistant curator of the Congo Expedition region. “She has a strong, spunky personality that brings a smile to my face each and every day. I am grateful for every moment that we have with her and am delighted that so many people around the world are able to share in the celebration of this special day.”
In their native ranges of Central Africa, western lowland gorilla populations have been severely impacted by poaching, human-carried disease, and habitat loss. These problems have grown worse in Colo’s lifetime; the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed the western gorilla as vulnerable prior to 1994, endangered in 1996, and critically endangered since 2007.
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a proud supporter of several gorilla conservation projects in Central Africa, from research to rescue and rehabilitation missions. The Columbus Zoo also founded Partners in Conservation, a grassroots effort to protect African wildlife through humanitarian projects.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
When: The celebration in the Columbus Zoo’s Congo River Market food court will take place from noon until 3 p.m. on Dec. 22. The webcast will begin at 1:30 p.m., and Colo will make her grand appearance at 2 p.m. in her habitat at Congo Expedition. The livestream ends at 2:30 p.m.
Where: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 Powell Rd., Powell, Ohio 43065
Media is asked to meet at the Zoo Business Office. Please call in advance.
Cost: General admission and parking fees apply for guests on grounds. There is no additional
charge to attend Colo’s party. A complete list of admission prices can be found on the Zoo’s website.
Webcast: www.ColumbusZoo.org/Colo. (A video celebrating Colo’s past 59 years will begin airing at 1:30 p.m. prior to the live broadcast at 2 p.m.)
Social: Use #ColoGorilla to join the conversation and wish her a “Happy Birthday.”
Photos by Graham Jones
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