Gorillas.co.uk
  • About Gorillas
    • Lowland Gorillas
    • Mountain Gorillas
    • Gallery
  • How you can help
    • Adopt a Mountain Gorilla
    • Adopt a Lowland Gorilla
    • Adoption FAQs
  • Charities
  • Blog

Female Gorilla Dies at Melbourne Zoo

June 2, 2015
Female Gorilla Dies at Melbourne Zoo

News that we report isn’t always positive and unfortunately with sadness this week we learnt of the news that Melbourne Zoo has lost one of their oldest gorillas.

Julia, a 33 year-old female had first arrived at the zoo back in 1997 from the Jersey Zoo. After suffering injuries inflicted by a younger male Silverback at Melbourne Zoo called Otana on Friday 22nd May, she sadly died on Sunday 24th from complications.

Zoo staff had initially noticed Otana displaying levels of aggression on Friday and although Silverbacks asserting their dominance is normal, in this case the level was unprecedented.

Julia chose to spend Friday night away from the group and staff found her unwell when checking on Saturday, although she had no visible wounds. Julia was moved to a veterinary hospital for further examination, at which point the vets discovered she had experience serious trauma. Unfortunately despite the best efforts of veterinary staff, Julia died from complications very early on Sunday morning.

Since the incident, Otana has been separated from the rest of the group and Melbourne Zoo keepers are working with the other gorillas due to the impact the event will have on the social structure of the group. Keepers have been offered counseling to also help them deal with this tragic event, which has left the community stunned.

As we highlighted at the start of the article, this is unprecedented behavior from a Silverback and we wish the zoo our best wishes in their work bringing the dynamics of the group back together during this difficult time.

Tweet
Share
Pin it
Previous StoryHouston Zoo Opens New Gorilla Exhibit Next StoryKnoxville Zoo Welcomes Second Baby Gorilla
  • Popular
  • Latest
  • Comments
  • How Inbreeding is Good News for Mountain Gorillas 20th April 2015

     How Inbreeding is Good News for Mountain Gorillas

  • Rwanda Named As One of The Greenest Places On Earth 5th May 2015

     Rwanda Named As One of The Greenest Places On Earth

  • Unforgettable Gorilla Experience for Wildlife Photographer 28th July 2015

     Unforgettable Gorilla Experience for Wildlife Photographer

  • Gorillas’ Rank Determines Bond With Infants 30th June 2015

     Gorillas’ Rank Determines Bond With Infants

  • 5 of the Best Places to See Gorillas in the UK 30th May 2016

     5 of the Best Places to See Gorillas in the UK

  • 5 of the Best Places to See Gorillas in the UK 30th May 2016

     5 of the Best Places to See Gorillas in the UK

  • Twin Baby Gorillas Die Just Days Apart 3rd May 2016

     Twin Baby Gorillas Die Just Days Apart

  • Baby Gorilla Makes Her Debut at Bristol Zoo Gardens 5th April 2016

     Baby Gorilla Makes Her Debut at Bristol Zoo Gardens

  • New Research Finds Genetic Link Between Men & Gorillas 8th March 2016

     New Research Finds Genetic Link Between Men & Gorillas

  • Louisville Zoo Announces Gorilla Pregnancy 23rd February 2016

     Louisville Zoo Announces Gorilla Pregnancy

  • Oscar Nominated Virunga Shines Light on Plight of Mountain Gorillas 22nd February 2015

     Oscar Nominated Virunga Shines Light on Plight of Mountain Gorillas

  • The scale of the threat of Ebola to Gorillas 24th February 2015

     The scale of the threat of Ebola to Gorillas

  • Not one but two gorillas pregnant at Knoxville Zoo 3rd March 2015

     Not one but two gorillas pregnant at Knoxville Zoo

  • Great Gorilla Run 2015 Date Announced 9th March 2015

     Great Gorilla Run 2015 Date Announced

  • Baby Gorilla Born at Melbourne Zoo 23rd March 2015

     Baby Gorilla Born at Melbourne Zoo

ABOUT US

  • Contact Us
  • Cookies

HOW TO HELP

  • Adopt a Mountain Gorilla
  • Adopt a Lowland Gorilla
DONATE NOW








© Gorillas.co.uk 2015-2021. All Rights Reserved.