Colo (Gorilla)

Colo (* December 22, 1956 ) is a Western Lowland Gorilla and lives in Columbus Zoo in the U.S. state of Ohio. She is the first gorilla ever born in captivity, and with 56 years also the oldest known individual of their species worldwide.

Life

Colos parents were Millie ( called Christina ) and Baron ( Macombo called ), who were both born in Africa and captured there. Because Colo was rejected by her mother, the keepers of the zoo took over their care. At first she was " Cuddles " (English for cuddling, coddling ), called later following a competition for the place of their birth - Columbus, Ohio - named.

At the age of two years, she was introduced to the young male of about the same animal Bongo, with whom she later became the father of three children - Emmy, Oscar and Tony. In April 1979 Oscars was born first offspring, and thus got a zoo gorilla in the third generation. Colos granddaughter Cora was called, an acronym for Central Ohio Rare Ape. In January 1997, Colos Jontu great-grandson was born, more should follow. In August 2003, finally Colo was great-grandmother for the first time. Although Colo teased none of her children herself, she took care of from birth to their grandchildren Macombo II and Mosuba (twins) and acted as a protector of another grandson, Jungle Jack.

Colo is the longest-standing resident of the Columbus Zoo. Her pedigree includes 16 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and three great-great grandson. Five of their descendants still live in Columbus, with many more in other American zoos. After Massa († 1984) in the Philadelphia Zoo and Jenny († 2008) in the Dallas Zoo Colo is considered today as the oldest living gorilla in captivity. On 22 December 2011, the zoo issued a "Party " from her 55th birthday. She " celebrated " him to the delight of visitors with colorful garlands and a special cake.