Buffalo Zoo's Silverback Western Lowland Gorilla Has Died: 'We Are All Devastated'

"Koga inspired and impacted over 6 million visitors to the Zoo," Lisa Smith, president and CEO of the Buffalo Zoo, said

New York’s Buffalo Zoo has announced the death of a male silverback western lowland gorilla named Koga.

The primate died on Wednesday at the age of 36 due to a cardiac event. News of his death was shared by the facility on Thursday.

Per PBS, gorillas can live anywhere from 35 to 40 years in the wild. The zoo added that the median life expectancy for male gorillas is 32.7 years.

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Koga was born in captivity at the Bronx Zoo on Aug. 14, 1987. At 7 years old, the primate was relocated to the Memphis Zoo where he lived for 13 years before finding his home at the Buffalo Zoo in April 2007, the facility said in a statement shared on their official website.

“We are all devastated by the loss of Koga,” Lisa Smith, president and CEO of the Buffalo Zoo, said.

“Our staff always feel the loss of any animal that dies, but it is especially hard when it is a charismatic, intelligent, well-loved animal like Koga who was a staple of our Zoo community. Koga touched the hearts of so many visitors and staff alike, he will be greatly missed," Smith continued. "During his time in Buffalo, as an ambassador of his species, Koga inspired and impacted over 6 million visitors to the Zoo.”

According to their statement, which was also shared on their Facebook account, gorillas are highly social and complex animals and the males tend to lead troops with multiple females.

Due to their close relationships with one another, the remaining female troop will be closely monitored by the zoo’s animal care staff along with help from Canisius College’s Animal Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation program.

During his 17 years at the Buffalo Zoo, Koga fathered three infants. Amari, 13, and Kayin, 8, were recently placed at other zoos. Nyah, 10, still resides at the Buffalo Zoo with two adult females, Sidney, 26, and Lily, 23.

This was done with the help of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Western Lowland Gorilla Species Survival Plan (SSP).

Though Koga’s death was sudden, the silverback gorilla had been under veterinary care for heart disease for years. The Buffalo Zoo credited their staff and the treatments they provided for allowing him to live past the median age.

Related: Texas Zookeeper Who Raised Harambe Mourns Death of Gorilla: 'It's Like Losing a Family Member'

On the zoo’s Facebook account, users reflected on times they were able to see him in person and expressed sympathy for the zoo keepers who cared for Koga for many years.

“Just saw him this past Saturday. He looked as regal as always surveying the enclosure keeping an eye on his troop. A majestic animal and a true loss for our zoo,” one person wrote.

Another recalled how their young son “used to call him ‘daddy’ when he first started talking which speaks to how gentle his soul was.”

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), wild western lowland gorillas are critically endangered. Due to factors like habitat loss, poaching, illegal hunting for the bushmeat trade, and emerging diseases, their population has declined more than 60 percent in the past 25 years.

In place of flowers or gifts, the Buffalo Zoo says donations in Koga’s memory will be accepted and used toward gorilla care at the zoo and in the wild at buffalozoo.org/donate.

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