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EEscondido, Calif. – Winston, a western lowland gorilla who was a favorite attraction at the San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park, has died at the age of 52 after suffering from several health problems, officials said.
The park said Winston was euthanized Saturday after veterinarians determined his condition was declining.
“After careful consideration arising from the increasing complications from his worsening condition, and with Winston’s quality of life top of mind, the wildlife health and care teams have made the difficult decision to euthanize him compassion,” the zoo said in a statement.
Winston was one of the oldest male gorillas in a US zoo San Diego Union-Tribune reported on Sunday.
“This gentle giant will be remembered for his quiet strength, calm nature and heart of gold,” the zoo’s statement said.
In recent years, Winston had been treated for a variety of “age-related conditions,” including heart disease, degenerative joint disease and kidney disease, officials said.
The gorilla was born in the wild and then came under the care of a private owner in England. Since arriving at the San Diego safari park in 1984, Winston has given birth to nine children and was the grandfather of eight and great-grandfather of one, the Union-Tribune reported.
