The patriarch of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium's internationally recognized gorilla surrogacy program died on Friday morning, the zoo announced.
Mumbah was born in equatorial Africa and was believed to be 47 years of age, well past a male gorilla's life expectancy of 31 years, according to the zoo.
Mumbah was eating breakfast with his family when he collapsed. The animal care team immediately began attempts to resuscitate him but was unsuccessful. His gorilla and human families were given time to mourn his death before a necropsy was performed.
The gorilla died of heart failure and had age-related calcification of his valves and a history of hypertension.
According to the zoo, Mumbah produced one offspring but was the father of 16 adopted gorillas.
"He was a gentle giant who readily accepted youngsters into his family," said Columbus Zoo president and chief executive officer Dale Schmidt. "He was patient but effective at teaching them how to be vital members of a gorilla social group. His legacy will live on through all of the gorillas he helped to raise."
Mumbah came to the Columbus Zoo in 1984 from Howletts Wild Animal Park in England.
"Mel Dodge (former Columbus Recreation and Parks Director) and I became friends with entrepreneur and Howletts Zoo owner John Aspinall in the early 1980s when we visited his park to learn more about their successful gorilla program," said Jack Hanna, the zoo's director emeritus. "When we saw Mumbah we were very impressed with his wonderful personality and often talked about him when we returned home. We were thrilled when Mr. Aspinall offered to send him to the Columbus Zoo to join our world-famous gorilla family."
Mumbah was easily recognizable by his droopy lower lip; reportedly the result of dental work he had undergone while at Howletts.
There are now 15 gorillas at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, including Colo, the first gorilla born in human care, who at 55 years of age is the oldest gorilla in a zoo. Two other female gorillas, Pongi and Toni, are in their 40s and considered geriatric.
Stay with 10TV News and 10TV.com for additional information.
