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Zoo Loses Female Gorilla 'Hope'
BY: Rod HackneyMar. 19, 2009
ASHEBORO—The North Carolina Zoo lost one of its most well-known residents Thursday when Hope, a female gorilla, had to be euthanized due to a variety of severe medical problems.
Hope, 35, had become famous as the mother of "Kwanza," the first and still the only gorilla ever born at the N.C. Zoo. The March 1989 gorilla birth made Kwanza, as well as his parents Hope and Carlos, household names in the state and generated national media coverage.
The baby gorilla was credited for increasing zoo attendance by nearly 100,000 visitors during his first year on exhibit. Kwanza now resides at the Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo where he has become a father himself. Carlos passed away a number of years ago after being transferred to Zoo Atlanta.
Hope arrived at the N.C. Zoo in May 1984 after the National Institutes of Health discontinued a gorilla behavioral research program in Louisiana. In recent years she had been under treatment for a variety of medical problems, including two surgical procedures for abdominal abscesses, high blood pressure and, more recently, loss of vision.
In recent days the female gorilla had become almost completely blind and appeared to be suffering from severe headaches, according to N.C. Zoo Chief Veterinarian Dr. Mike Loomis. During a examination by an ophthalmologist on Thursday, it was determined that the animal also suffered from detached retinas in both eyes and that her sight would not return. Other serious medical conditions were also discovered. These medical and physical problems, made it a "quality of life decision," Loomis said, and led Animal Division and Veterinary staff members to conclude that euthanasia was the best option.
"Speaking for all the veterinarians, zookeepers and curators who cared for Hope, it was the toughest decision all of us have ever made as zoo professionals," said Ken Reininger, general curator at the zoo.
Three other gorillas, male Nikunda and females Donna and Katie, remain in good condition and on exhibit daily in the zoo’s Forest Glade gorilla habitat.
The zoo is an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Dee Freeman, Secretary; Beverly Eaves Perdue, Governor.