Pittsburgh Zoo's oldest male gorilla dies suddenly

Harry — Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium’s oldest male gorilla — died Tuesday of a “sudden cardiac event.”

At 33 years old, the Western lowland silver-back gorilla was a longtime zoo favorite as the eldest male in a troop of six. Male western lowland gorillas have a median life expectancy of 32 years.

Harry had been receiving treatment for cardiac disease since 2022 in consultation with the Great Ape Heart Project, the zoo said in the release Wednesday. He died despite “valiant immediate efforts to resuscitate him.”

Born June 14, 1991, at the Cincinnati Zoo, Harry came to Pittsburgh on Oct. 30, 1992.

Curator of Mammals Kelsey Forbes said he became a troop leader and paternal figure after female gorilla Mrithi died in February. Another male gorilla, Ivan, died in October of cardiac arrest while undergoing a medical procedure.

Zoo officials have previously noted that gorillas have hearts similar to those of humans and are highly susceptible to cardiac disease.

The Pittsburgh Zoo said Harry will be “greatly missed” by both staff and visitors.

“Harry was amazing with all of the gorilla ‘kids’ and was vigilant and protective with them,” Forbes said. “He was an absolutely special boy and had the best laugh of all our gorillas.”