Key facts
- Fatou, a western lowland gorilla, celebrated her 69th birthday on April 14, 2026.
- She received a special meal of vegetables and fruits, avoiding sugar due to health reasons.
- Fatou arrived at the Berlin Zoo in 1959 and is now its oldest resident.
- She lives in a separate enclosure and experiences age-related issues like tooth loss and arthritis.
Fatou, recognized as the world's oldest gorilla living in captivity, marked her 69th birthday on Monday with a special feast at the Berlin Zoo. The western lowland gorilla enjoyed a meal of cherry tomatoes, beets, leeks, and lettuce, foregoing cake due to health considerations for aging primates.
Fatou arrived in West Berlin in 1959, with her exact birth date unknown, though April 13 is observed as her birthday. Gorillas typically live 35-40 years in the wild but can live longer in captivity. She became the zoo's oldest resident in 2024 following the death of Ingo the flamingo, who was at least 75.
Believed to have been born in the wild in western Africa, Fatou's journey to the zoo reportedly involved a French sailor bartering her for a bar tab, after which a French animal trader sold her to the zoo. In her advanced age, Fatou lives in a separate enclosure, preferring solitude from other gorillas. She has lost her teeth and experiences arthritis and hearing loss, though she remains friendly with her keepers.