5 days Ago By Hannah Wilson
The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium is in mourning following the loss of Harry, a beloved 33-year-old western lowland gorilla, who suffered a fatal sudden cardiac event. The somber news comes after Harry had been under treatment for heart disease for the past three years, an ailment that afflicts many in his species due to their human-like cardiovascular systems. The Zoo had been working closely with the Great Ape Heart Project, a group of specialists dedicated to understanding and combating heart disease in great apes.
Harry was the oldest male in a troop of six gorillas at the Zoo and held a special place in the hearts of staff and visitors alike. His gentle nature and leadership qualities made him a memorable figure at the facility. Despite their immediate attempts to resuscitate the gorilla, he passed away on Tuesday afternoon.
The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium invites those who remember Harry to share their memories on social media as a tribute to the great ape.According to a CBS News report, Kelsey Forbes, the Zoo's curator of mammals, remembered Harry fondly, highlighting his role as a protective troop leader and a paternal figure, especially after Mrithi, another gorilla, died last year. "Harry was amazing with all of the gorilla 'kids' and was vigilant and protective with them.
He was an absolutely special boy and had the best laugh of all our gorillas," Forbes said.While grieving this loss, the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium team continues to treat and protect the remaining members of the gorilla troop, advocating for conservation and research that may one day staunch the decline of these critically endangered animals in their natural habitats..
