Winston, one of the world’s oldest silverback gorillas, passed away at 52 years old, as announced by the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. He was euthanized on Saturday due to declining health, according to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park where he lived.
The park, in a Facebook statement, described Winston as a gentle giant known for his strength, easygoing nature, and kind heart.
Winston had been a beloved resident of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park since 1984. He led his troop in the Gorilla Forest habitat and was a father to nine offspring, as well as an adoptive father to two unrelated male gorillas, as reported last year.
In addition to his contributions to gorilla families, Winston was notable for being one of the first great apes known to contract COVID-19, from which he recovered. However, he battled heart problems since 2017, with cardiovascular disease being a common cause of death for zoo-dwelling great apes.
In recent years, caretakers noted Winston’s health declining due to age-related conditions like heart disease, degenerative joint issues, and kidney disease. After careful evaluation and considering his declining quality of life, wildlife health and care teams made the difficult decision to euthanize him.
The park praised Winston’s legacy, noting his significant contributions to gorilla conservation efforts worldwide, ensuring a positive impact on future generations of great apes.