Great Ape Turns 55 At Dallas Zoo

(AP)  A gorilla recognized as the world's oldest in captivity celebrated her 55th birthday by munching down a four-layer frozen fruit cake and banana leaf wrapped treats.

Jenny's caretakers at the Dallas Zoo say she's having a few joint issues and her eyesight isn't what it used to be but she still looks good for an old ape.

"It's a special milestone for us," said Todd Bowsher, curator of the zoo's Wilds of Africa exhibit. "It signifies that we've made great strides in veterinary care, nutrition and animal husbandry."

The International Species Information System, which maintains records on animals at 700 institutions around the world, said Jenny is the oldest gorilla in its database.

"I think it's amazing," said Kristen Lukas, curator of conservation and science at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in Ohio and the gorilla species survival plan coordinator for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. "I think it's a testament to the good care that she's received at the Dallas Zoo and also the resilience of gorillas in general."

Lukas said gorillas in the wild normally would live to age 30 or 35. Health care and protection from predators has extended the lifespan in zoos.

Of the roughly 360 gorillas in North American zoos, only four are over the age of 50. All of them are female. In addition to Jenny, Lukas noted Trudy at the Little Rock Zoo in Arkansas, Colo at the Columbus Zoo in Ohio and Helen at the Louisville Zoo in Kentucky.

Jenny gave birth in 1965 to a female named Vicki, who was sent to Alberta, Canada, at age 5. Zoo officials don't know any more about Vicki. They aren't sure why Jenny hasn't conceived again.

Jenny's keepers describe her as very sweet though a little bossy.

"If she doesn't want to go out on a certain day, she doesn't," Bowsher said. "But she really likes people."

There were plenty of them at the Jake L. Hamon Gorilla Conservation Research Center Thursday, chowing down on giant sheets of chocolate and vanilla birthday cake as they peered at Jenny through the glass.

When keepers set out Jenny's berry-topped frozen cake in a forested clearing, she slowly approached. She scooped up the fruity treat with her right hand, dug into the middle of it with her left then sat down to savor the tasty yogurt-covered remains.

At one point she stood, turned her backside to the phalanx of photographers and cameramen then lumbered off to enjoy her meal in peace. She wasn't about to share with her primate peers.

"It's pretty amazing that the zoo where we live has the oldest gorilla that's known," said 8-year-old Ben Deming as he stared at Jenny.

Born in the wild of western central Africa in 1953, the exact date of her birth is unknown. Jenny lived with a family on the Cape Verde islands before the Dallas Zoo acquired her in 1957.

"I remember the day she arrived," said Nancy Hamon, 89, of Dallas, whose family bought the gorilla for the zoo and continues to be among its strongest supporters.

Jenny, a 213-pound Western lowland gorilla, is one of four gorillas at the zoo.

"It's a good time for the zoo," said Sean Greene, director of Community Relations for the Dallas Zoological Society.

He said the upbeat birthday party was a welcome contrast to the tragedy that occurred in 2004 when another gorilla, 13-year-old Jabari, broke out of his enclosure. The 300-pound ape went on a 40-minute rampage in which he snatched up a toddler with his teeth and attacked three other people before officers shot him.

So to what does Jenny attribute her longevity? She's not saying. But her vegetarian diet couldn't hurt: seeds, cereal and one of her favorites, banana peels.

[wakeup60]

Fascinating detail about "Cheeta" still being alive...where is he ? Just wish all the precious chimpanzees that have been used,abused and kept captive for medical experiments were ALL set free and in safe and happy surroundings for the remainder of their lives...Does anyone out there know of their plight lately?

[wakeup60]

"Happy Birthday", Jenny !!!!! Hope she enjoyed her day! What did ever happen to her only offspring..."Vicki" ??? Why doesn''t the zoo in Alberta, Canada know where she is or when she died/if she has??? Hope she is still around and they have a full accounting of her whereabouts!

[honestabe8]

Happy Birthday, Cousin!

That''s right! Sit back with a banana daquiri and relax

[honestabe8]

Cheeta, the chimpanzee from the Tarzan movies, is still alive at 75. Andorra has the longest life expectancy (for humans) at 83.5 years.

[glock4me]

You do know that the United States doesn''''t have the highest longevity in the world, right? The Japanese, who have universal health care, live the longest. Citizens in France, Spain, Italy, Germany, and the UK all have longer life expectency than the US citizens, and they all have universal health care.



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Posted by UbikValis2 at 11:55 AM : May 10, 2008


No, I didn''t know that, but I''d say the life expentency in the US is pretty close to tops. I''ll bet the life expenctancy of US citizens with health insurance is higher, on average, than most other countries. I know it sounds bad, but why should I have to pay for some loser that can''t take care of himself to have health care. How about some economic Darwinism. If you can''t feed ''em, don''t breed ''em.

[ranger1948]

As an animal lover i always enjoy seeing stories like these. We keep taking land away from animals and then complain when there is a confrontation between animals and peopl;e. If you watch a wild animal most of the time when they see a human they will look to go another direction. I have found animals in general have a higher moral standard than a lot of people i have met. Even a cobra will look for a way to avoid human contact when possible. In Thailand the Budhists teach that we can live in harmony with the animals and i have seen it done more than once. I feel we owe animals a lot since we have taken so much from them.

[stn_sage]

doc18d - like yourself, I tend to get annoyed by comments totally unrelated to the story, and I always hope there will be a mininum of them on any given story. But, concerning Bush comments, I''d point out:

First, he''s negatively impacted millions of Americans live''s! So, many people feel the need to comment.

Second, I think most respect the office of president, though NOT this president! That''s their right.

Third, there are just as many extremist rightwingers interjecting hateful spew about ''libs'' or ''Dems'' in stories---maybe more!

Fourth, YOU''RE not the only one who has been in the military---MILLIONS of your fellow citizens have, I for one---dragonwagon5 probably as well! That, being the case, I''m tolerant to his and your comments!

Finally, think about being more tolerant about these types of comments, because if you don''t, you''re going to drive yourself NUTS! It''s only going to get worse in the future, as Bush gets out of office and the full extent of his mistakes become known, the bashing is going to reach new heights! And, on real issues he DOES deserve to be criticized! Take it easy!

[ubikvalis2]

"That ape lived 20 years longer than average because of the great health care this country offers. A similar ape in Europe would be long dead."

You do know that the United States doesn''t have the highest longevity in the world, right? The Japanese, who have universal health care, live the longest. Citizens in France, Spain, Italy, Germany, and the UK all have longer life expectency than the US citizens, and they all have universal health care.

[downsteamjim]

For those of you in Denver, Jenny will be there later this summer as an uncommitted superdelegate. Unfortunately, as the smartest participant at the convention she will have little effect.

[doc18d]

GLOCK:
Your right.
I believe our health care system needs some serious work, buteven our animals get better treatment than most people get in other countries.