Jock, beloved gorilla from Bristol Zoo, dies just days after being moved to new home
Britain’s oldest male gorilla has died days after moving to his new home.
Jock, 42, who spent most of his life at the Clifton site of the Bristol Zoo Project, had a number of pre-existing health conditions common in gorillas his age.
In the wild, western lowland gorilla silverbacks typically live to be 35 to 40 years old and face threats such as poaching, habitat destruction, and health problems such as tooth loss as they age.
Jock’s health deteriorated 10 days after he was moved to an area near Cribbs Pass and it was decided to euthanize him.
The zoo said it was too early to determine the cause of Jock’s illness.
However, an investigation will be made.
Mammals curator Sarah Gedman said: “The decision to let Jock go peacefully was made with his comfort and quality of life in mind, a testament to the deep bonds between him and the people who care for him every day.
“Jock’s legacy as leader, father and ambassador of his species at Bristol Zoo will live on through the gorillas he helped raise and the countless people he inspired.
“His life was a reminder of both the beauty and fragility of wildlife and the importance of conservation efforts everywhere.
“This is a really difficult time for the goalkeepers and all the colleagues and volunteers here.
“We all feel we have lost a friend in Jock and we will always remember him fondly.”
Jock was part of a troop of eight men at the zoo.
They had recently moved to a new enclosure, four and a half times larger than their old home, and located in local woodland.
Jock was born in France in 1983 and arrived at Bristol Zoo in 2003.
He became the central figure of the gorilla group for more than two decades.
As the father of many babies, including Namoki, Komale, Kukena, Juni and Hasani, he played a vital role in the breeding program of the critically endangered western lowland gorillas.
