- Oldest living zoo gorilla worldwide at 68 years
- Specialized soft-food diet with customized elder care
- Resident of Berlin Zoo since 1959
- Lives separately from younger troop members
Berlin Zoo's primate team has developed groundbreaking protocols for geriatric great ape care through Fatou's longevity. Unlike wild western lowland gorillas who typically live 35-40 years, captive specimens like Fatou demonstrate zoology's advancements in veterinary medicine and species-specific nutrition.
The care team prepares daily smoothies blending sweet potatoes, leafy greens, and vitamin supplements to accommodate Fatou's dental challenges. Senior veterinarian Dr. André Schüle notes: Our enrichment program focuses on sensory stimulation rather than physical exertion - crucial for maintaining cognitive health in elderly primates.
Regional Case Study: Munich's Hellabrunn Zoo recently adopted Berlin's model after their 52-year-old gorilla Fritz showed similar age-related needs. This inter-zoo collaboration highlights Germany's leadership in progressive primate management.
Fatou's 68-year lifespan surpasses notable records including:
- Colo (59 years) - first zoo-born gorilla
- Trudy (63 years) - previous longevity record holder
- Western lowland wild gorillas (avg. 35 years)
Following the 2022 passing of Ingo the flamingo (estimated age 75), Fatou became Berlin Zoo's senior resident. Her continued vitality offers researchers unprecedented insights into great ape aging processes. Keepers monitor cardiac function through non-invasive infrared sensors, a technique now being replicated in orangutan care programs.
