For immediate release
Contact: Gina Stiles, 904-757-4463, ext. 210; cell phone 655-3632

21-Year-Old Gorilla Dies

at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

November 8, 2006, Jacksonville, Florida – Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is mourning the loss of one of its gorillas.  The gorilla, named Ben, was one of four male gorillas known as “the bachelors.”  Ben was born on August 12, 1985, at the Oklahoma City Zoo.  He came to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens in 1998.  In a freak accident, the death occurred when another gorilla, named Quito, was chasing Ben. Ben slipped on the sloop of the moat in the exhibit, fell in and drowned.  Moats are commonly used by zoos to separate species. The incident was observed by staff, who radioed our animal hospital staff who responded immediately.

“Within minutes after getting the call, staff veterinarians were on-site at the accident administering every life-saving technique available,” said Delfi Messinger, animal programs director at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. “We are all devastated by this loss, and after a full investigation, will take action so that this won’t happen again,” Messinger continued.

Previously, Ben had been paired with Quito—both inside the Great Apes building and outside on exhibit—for several weeks where a bite to his leg resulted in surgery.  After much study and deliberation regarding the incident, it was felt that putting the two gorillas together only in the outside exhibit -- a larger, more open environment -- would relieve the tension between the two.  Therefore, when Ben was fully recovered, the effort to exhibit the two gorillas together successfully was resumed and was being carefully monitored.

“Our animal care staff is well known for their ability to successfully introduce male gorillas to one another,” said Dennis Pate, executive director of Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.  “We really appreciate all their efforts to save Ben. Because our animals are like family, grief counselors will be available to help our staff to deal with this loss,” said Pate.

For over 90 years, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has been dedicated to inspiring the discovery and appreciation of wildlife through innovative experience in a caring environment. Starting in 1914 with an animal collection that consisted of one red deer fawn, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has grown to house more than 1,500 rare and exotic animals and over 1,000 unique plant species. The Jacksonville Zoo is a non-profit organization and is an accredited member of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA).  It is open year-round, seven days a week, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and is located on Jacksonville’s north side at 370 Zoo Parkway, one-half mile east from I-95.  For more information on the Zoo, log on to www.jacksonvillezoo.org.                                   

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