SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Humans and gorillas alike are mourning the sudden passing of Oscar Jonesy, a critically endangered Western lowland gorilla who resided at the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens for more than 20 years.
Oscar’s death Thursday came after a medical procedure was completed and he was being monitored during recovery from anesthesia, according to the zoo.
“Oscar's procedure originally went well,” Chief Veterinarian Dr. Adrian Mutlow said, “but despite showing initial signs of recovery, he suddenly became unresponsive and stopped breathing. We responded immediately but even with the assistance of critical care specialists from Stanford, we were unable to revive him.”
Oscar Jonesy (Photo: May Woon/San Francisco Zoo)Oscar Jonesy (Photo: May Woon/San Francisco Zoo)Oscar Jonesy (Photo: May Woon/San Francisco Zoo)Dr. Mutlow said there were no signs of serious illness found during the examination, and no definitive cause of death for the 43-year-old great ape has been established. A necropsy will be performed at the University of California, Davis Veterinary School.
Oscar was born in 1981 and lived at the Buffalo Zoo before moving to the San Francisco Zoo in 2004 and becoming the “silverback” of the troop.
Bird flu confirmed in stray cat in Half Moon Bay“Oscar was the silverback of the troop,” said Executive Vice President of Animal Care Dominick Dorsa. “As the troop’s leader, he provided a sense of calm and mediated conflict. The females in our troop definitely deferred to him, and we are giving them the opportunity to mourn his passing.”
Dorsa said the zoo will continue to monitor the remaining gorillas “as they go through a mourning period.”
Oscar Jonesy (Photo: Marianne Hale/San Francisco Zoo)Oscar Jonesy (Photo: May Woon/San Francisco Zoo)Tanya Peterson, who serves as CEO and executive director of the zoo, said, “We are heartbroken by the loss of Oscar. He was truly an amazing ambassador for this critically endangered species and a favorite among staff, guests and volunteers alike.”
Wild populations of Western lowland gorillas can be found in Central Africa. According to the World Wildlife Fund, the species' numbers have decreased by more than 60 percent over the last 20 to 25 years due to poaching and disease.
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