11-year-old gorilla Ivan dies during medical procedure at Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium

The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium announced the death of one of its lifelong residents, 11-year-old gorilla Djembe.

Known to the public as Ivan, the Western lowland silver-back gorilla suffered cardiac arrest Wednesday while undergoing a medical procedure at the zoo, officials reported.

Zoo officials said Ivan showed no pre-existing conditions, but they noted gorillas have hearts similar to those of humans and are highly susceptible to cardiac disease.

A group of outside experts in anesthesiology, cardiology and zoological medicine were brought in to support the in-house veterinary team for Ivan’s care, according to a statement from the zoo.

Ivan was born at the zoo on April 11, 2013. He was an older sibling of Bo, a male gorilla delivered by mom Moka on May 11, 2023.

Ivan was hand-raised by staff and volunteers for about five months before they were able to successfully reintroduce him to his troop at the zoo, according to Kelsey Forbes, curator of mammals.

“He was known and loved for his deep happy rumbles and playful personality,” Forbes said. “He always put a smile on keepers’ faces with his antics.”

A post-mortem examination is being conducted, the zoo said.

The first-ever gorilla born at the zoo, male sliver-back Mrithi, died earlier this year, at the age of 31.

Born on June 1, 1992, Mrithi sired three sons with Moka: Ivan, Bo and Frank, born on May 25, 2018. Mrithi also was father to female gorilla Charlotte, born Feb. 14, 2023.

Native to the rain forests of the Congo Basin in central Africa, Western lowland gorillas are listed as critically endangered. Their typical lifespan is 30 to 40 years.