Key facts
- Fatou, a western lowland gorilla, celebrated her 69th birthday at the Berlin Zoo.
- She was given a special meal of vegetables and fruits, avoiding sugar due to health reasons.
- Fatou arrived at the zoo in 1959 and her exact birth date is unknown, with April 13 designated as her birthday.
- She is the Berlin Zoo's oldest resident, having become so in 2024.
- In her old age, Fatou lives separately from other gorillas, has lost her teeth, and experiences arthritis and hearing loss.
Fatou, recognized as the world's oldest gorilla living in captivity, marked her 69th birthday on Monday with a specially prepared feast at the Berlin Zoo. The western lowland gorilla enjoyed a meal of cherry tomatoes, beets, leeks, and lettuce, as sugar is not recommended for her advanced age.
Fatou arrived in West Berlin in 1959, with her exact birth date unknown, though April 13 is observed as her birthday. Gorillas typically live between 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 years old.
According to Guinness World Records, Fatou was likely born in the wild in western Africa and was reportedly bartered by a French sailor to cover a bar tab before being sold to the zoo by a French animal trader. In her current life, Fatou resides in a separate enclosure, preferring solitude in her old age. She has lost her teeth and experiences arthritis and hearing loss, though zoo supervisor Christian Aust notes she remains friendly with keepers, albeit stubborn.
Alles Gute zum Geburtstag, Fatou.