Fatou, the Oldest Gorilla in Captivity, Celebrates 69th Birthday at Berlin Zoo
Fatou, the oldest gorilla in captivity, celebrated her 69th birthday at the Berlin Zoo with a special feast of cherry tomatoes, beets, leeks, and lettuce. Despite her age, she did not have a birthday cake as sugar is not good for her health. Fatou, a western lowland gorilla, has been at the zoo since 1959, and her exact birthdate is unknown, but April 13 is designated as her birthday.
In 2024, Fatou became the oldest resident at the zoo after the death of Ingo the flamingo, who had lived there since 1955. Fatou's origins are believed to be in western Africa, where she was taken by a French sailor and eventually sold to the zoo. She now lives in her own enclosure and prefers to stay away from the other gorillas as she has aged. Despite losing her teeth and experiencing arthritis and hearing loss, she remains friendly with the zookeepers.
At 69 years old, Fatou has earned a comfortable retirement. The Berlin Zoo's primate supervisor, Christian Aust, described her as a bit stubborn but still amicable. Happy Birthday, Fatou!