Toledo Zoo investigating death of 22-year-old gorilla.

Courtesy of Mary Ann Howell


One of the Toledo Zoo's female gorillas has died of causes not yet precisely determined.

The 22-year-old western lowland gorilla, named Shani, was found dead Saturday morning in an off-exhibit holding area in the Kingdom of the Apes. A necropsy done by the zoo's veterinary staff found evidence of liver abnormalities, but no specific cause of death. Tissue samples will be sent out for laboratory testing. According to a statement issued by the zoo, keepers noticed Wednesday that Shani was listless and not eating normally. A diagnostic exam, which involved anesthetizing Shani, revealed severe jaundice, anemia, and low blood glucose.

"Animal care staff provided treatment and supportive care. Friday evening, Shani was recovering from anesthesia and was lethargic but alert," Dr. Chris Hanley, the zoo's associate veterinarian, explained in the press release.

Shani was born at the Toledo Zoo and gave birth to two male offspring, one of which, B'wenzi, remains at the zoo as part of its nine-member gorilla family group. The other was transferred to another zoo. Western lowland gorillas are native to the tropical forests of Western Africa. They are highly endangered as a result of habitat destruction and being hunted for food. The normal life expectancy for such a gorilla in a zoo environment is 30 years, although some have lived to be 50. The Toledo Zoo's gorilla family group is headed by the silverback male Kwisha and now has four adult females and four juveniles.