A gorilla who's lived at Boston's Franklin Park Zoo for more than 25 years died on Thursday, the zoo announced, soon after he was placed under anesthesia following a rapid decline in his health.
Kitombe, a 38-year-old who'd long outlived the life expectancy of western lowland gorillas, was euthanized after veterinarians tested his chest, blood, kidneys, heart and more, the zoo announced Thursday evening.
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“We are devastated to share the news of Kit’s passing. He has been part of our zoo family for more than 25 years, and will be deeply missed by the staff who has cared for him for so many years. He was an incredible father to his five offspring with his mate Kiki, and it was a joy to watch his gentle interactions with them,” said John Linehan, the president and CEO of Zoo New England. “The animal care and veterinary teams take extraordinary care of our geriatric animals to ensure that they enjoy a healthy and comfortable life as they age. We hope that people will keep Kit’s care team in their thoughts during this sad time.”
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Earlier in the day, Zoo New England, which manages Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo in Stoneham, had said Kitombe, affectionately known as "Kit," was experiencing concerning health issues and anesthetized to see what was going on. He'd been closely monitored in recent months for issues including a chronic cough, loss of weight and muscle mass, increased lethargy and trembling. He'd also long been treated for glaucoma and heart disease, both of which were managed by medication.
Kit had resided at Franklin Park since 1998 and was one of six gorillas at the Boston zoo. He and his mate Kiki produced five offspring, including Kambiri, Aziza and Pablo, who also live with their parents. Their oldest two reside at other zoos.
Zoo New England says that western lowland gorillas are considered critically endangered in the wild.
Before Kitombe died, Linehan told NBC10 Boston that a picture of Kitombe is the background on his phone, and that he and the zoo's staff were upset about the animal's failing health.
"It’s tough to watch him lose weight and to watch him losing muscle mass," Linehan said. "It's like a a family member."
Being 38 years old meant that Kit was considered geriatric — he was about seven years past the average lifespan of other male western lowland gorillas.
“While Kit had initially responded positively to antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication, the worsening of his condition requires a comprehensive exam to better identify the cause of his current ailments and what, if any, options are for treatment,” Christopher Bonar, Zoo New England's director of animal health, said in a statement before Kitombe's death. “While the risks associated with anesthesia are extremely high for Kit, given his age and current health condition, the examination is critical.”
