One of Columbus’ Most Important Residents, Colo the Gorilla, Going Under Medical Procedure
Colo is the first gorilla in the world born in a zoo and the matriarch of the Columbus Zoo’s famous gorilla family, will receive a comprehensive medical examination in the coming days. Colo is nearly 60 years old and is the oldest gorilla on record, exceeding her normal life expectancy by more than two decades. Colo was born December 22, 1956, which means her birthday is coming up in less than a month.
As part of the procedure, veterinarians plan to take tissue samples from a mass under her arm to determine the cause of her recent discomfort. Columbus Zoo’s animal care staff first observed the mass over the summer. Zoo veterinarians consulted with veterinary specialists and human doctors at that time, and it was determined that the best approach was to observe the mass for any changes. It had changed in recent weeks, making Colo noticeably uncomfortable. The zoo’s veterinarians decided the best course of action was to conduct the biopsy so they could provide Colo with any medical help she might need.
“At the Columbus Zoo, care of our animals comes first. When we saw that the mass under her arm was starting to cause her discomfort, we decided to do the procedure because it was clear that Colo needs our help,” said Vice President of Animal Health Dr. Randy Junge. “Any medical procedure has a degree of risk, particularly one like this that involves anesthesia. We weighed the decision carefully and decided the risk would be greater if we did not examine her, especially if the biopsy finds that she has a treatable condition.”
“I’ve developed a close relationship with Colo because I’ve worked with her nearly every day for 19 years,” said Audra Meinelt, Assistant Curator Congo Expedition. “The recent changes in the mass were making her uncomfortable and we knew we had to do something. Our animal care team is going to be with her every step of the way of her surgery and recovery, ready to give her top-notch care, encouragement and her favorite treats. While we know there are no guarantees, we are cautiously optimistic that we can join her thousands of fans to help her celebrate her 60th birthday on December 22.”
Colo is off exhibit and will remain behind the scenes under 24-hour observation until Columbus Zoo’s veterinarians and animal care team are satisfied with her progress after the procedure. Her fans can follow her progress on the Zoo’s Facebook page.
As the first zoo-born gorilla, her birth made headlines around the world including the Today show, the New York Times, and Time and Life magazines.
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