ANDEscondido, Calif. — Winston, a western lowland gorilla who was a favorite attraction at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, has died at age 52 after suffering multiple health problems, officials said.
The park said Winston was euthanized Saturday after veterinarians determined his condition was worsening.
“After careful consideration arising from the worsening complications arising from his worsening condition, and with Winston’s quality of life in mind, the wildlife health and care teams made the difficult decision to compassionately euthanize him,” the zoo said. in a statement.
Winston was one of the oldest male gorillas in a US zoo, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported Sunday.
“This gentle giant will be remembered for his quiet strength, easy-going nature and heart of gold,” the zoo’s statement said.
In recent years, Winston has been treated for a variety of “age-related conditions,” including heart disease, degenerative joint disease and kidney disease, authorities said.
The gorilla was born in the wild and later came into the care of a private owner in England. Since arriving at the San Diego safari park in 1984, Winston has fathered nine children and was the grandfather of eight and great-grandfather of one, the Union-Tribune reported.
This story originally appeared on Time.com read the full story
