ST. LOUIS -- Saint Louis Zoo's 27-year-old western lowland gorilla, Juma, died Monday afternoon.
Juma collapsed in his outdoor habitat at Fragile Forest around 1:30 p.m. Monday. The gorilla passed away despite immediate emergency care by zoo staff. A necropsy was performed Monday night and points to Juma's heart condition as the cause of death.
The average life expectancy for lowland gorillas is 31 years and heart conditions are prevalent. Juma's condition was originally diagnosed in November 2011. The care he's received over the past four years is believed to have improved his condition.
"Juma had some irreversible changes in his heart, but the medical management that he received over the last four years had a positive effect on his overall function and quality of life," said Dr. Luis Padilla, Director of Animal Health at the Zoo.
Juma Adika has lived at the zoo since his birth there in 1988. "The Boss" lived in the all-male group including Little Joe, Jontu, Bakari and Nadaya.
"The Saint Louis Zoo staff is saddened by his death," said Jack Grisham, Vice President of Animal Collections at the zoo. "He will be very much missed by our staff, our volunteers and visitors."
