Brookfield Zoo Gorilla Dies At 48 Years Old

A 48-year-old female gorilla has died at the Brookfield Zoo, the Chicago Zoological Society announced Friday.

Alpha, a western lowland gorilla, was in the late stage of kidney failure. The decision was made to euthanize her after her condition didn’t improve with medical treatment.

Alpha was born in the wild and arrived at Brookfield Zoo as a 2-1/2-year-old in 1963.

“Alpha was an important and cherished member of the gorilla group. She was the matriarch and mainstay of Brookfield Zoo’s gorilla group for more than 30 years. And, although the dynamics of the group have changed over the past few years, Alpha continued to play an integral and important social role within the group,” said Kim Smith, vice president of animal care for CZS.

Alpha gave birth to seven infants and is survived by two of her offspring.

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