An “iconic” gorilla at the Toronto Zoo is “responding well” to treatment after showing “concerning health symptoms” over the weekend, officials say.
However, while it’s seeing “some slow steady improvements,” the Zoo said in an update Tuesday Charles – a 52-year-old Western lowland gorilla – still has serious health issues.
“The Wildlife Care and Health teams are doing everything they can to keep him comfortable,” the Zoo said in a Facebook post.
“He has started eating again and has been interacting with enrichment items and his Wildlife Care team.”
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The Zoo alerted the public to Charles’ deteriorating health in a Facebook post Sunday. Officials said he may be experiencing serious heart issues.
The 52-year-old ape has been at the Zoo for more than 50 years, and in doing so, has outlived most Western lowland gorillas, which typically live between 30 and 40 years of age in the wild.
On Sunday, the Zoo said Charles began experiencing the issues more than 48 hours before its post. Guests will not be able to see Charles for the time being, the Zoo added.
“He has been prescribed medications and the veterinary team will adjust the treatment plan based on how he responds,” the Zoo said.
“Our team is doing everything possible to keep Charles comfortable, and we will continue to keep you updated as we learn more.”
The Zoo added Western lowland gorillas are a critically endangered species, which continue to decline at an annual rate of 2.7 per cent mostly due to poaching for bushmeat, disease, as well as habitat loss and degradation.
With poaching and disease, the gorilla’s numbers have declined by more than 60 per cent over the last 20 to 25 years, it said.
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