We would like to wish a very Happy Birthday to @theellenshow from all of us here at the Fossey Fund! Thank you for your continued support and we hope you have an amazing day! ...

Our hearts are with our friends at @zooatl over the loss of Ozzie, an amazing record setting gorilla and great dad. ❤️

Repost: @zooatl Our hearts are broken at the passing of a legend. We’re devastated to share that Ozzie, the world’s oldest male gorilla, has died at 61. He was found deceased by his care team this morning. He was the oldest gorilla at Zoo Atlanta and the third-oldest in the world.

Ozzie’s cause of death is not yet known. He exhibited decreased appetite on Jan. 20, and the Animal Care and Veterinary Teams were providing him with supportive care to encourage him to eat and drink. Over the past 24 hours, the teams had been treating him when he presented symptoms including facial swelling, weakness, and inability to eat or drink. A necropsy, or the non-human equivalent of an autopsy, will be performed through the Zoo’s partnership with the University of Georgia Zoo and Exotic Animal Pathology Service in the College of Veterinary Medicine and should provide us with more information. We’ll share these results once they are available.

A legend in his own time, Ozzie was a symbol of the rebirth of the Zoo in the 1980s. He was the only surviving member of the original generation of gorillas who arrived at Zoo Atlanta with the opening of The Ford African Rain Forest.

He made history in 2009, when he became the first gorilla in the world ever to participate in a voluntary blood pressure reading. Remarkably, he was geriatric even then, at 48. Gorillas are considered geriatric after the age of about 40.

Here at the Zoo, Ozzie is survived by daughter Kuchi; sons Kekla, Stadi, and Charlie; granddaughter Lulu; great-granddaughter Andi, and a great-grandson very near and dear to all of you: Floyd. He also has children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren at other accredited zoos in the U.S. and Canada.

Ozzie’s incredible longevity is a testament to the care, expertise, and innovations of our Gorilla Care Team, which has become renowned for the care of geriatric gorillas.

On behalf of all of us at Zoo Atlanta, thank you for your support on this very difficult day. ...

Uwacu is feeling exceptionally silly today! 🤣 😜 🤪
#nature #gorilla #rwanda #conservation

📸: Eric Ndayishimiye ...

I don’t think Kazeneza liked the news when we told him that today was Sunday 😳#wildlifeconservation #gorillas #nature

📸: Cedric Ujeneza ...

Everyone enjoys some sunshine on their face! #mountaingorillas #wildlife #nature

📸: Cedric Ujeneza ...

🚨BIG NEWS🚨 After many years with only one female, Titus’s group finally has a new female. Agaseke, a 15 year old female from Ntambara's group moved to Titus group earlier this month during an interaction between the two groups! This move was very surprising because Titus's group has been thriving with only one female for many years, but now the two leading silverbacks, Pato and Urwibutso, can finally refocus their attention on another female. Pato and Urwibutso first and second male have co-led Titus' group since 2016 and while Pato holds the dominant position, there has never been a clear delineation of status between the two. We are excited to see how the group dynamics change and if Agaseke feels comfortable in her new group.

📸: J.P. Samedi Mucyo ...

Ndizeye sure is one cool gorilla! 😎 #mountaingorillas #wildlife #nature

📸: Cedric Ujeneza ...

Today we are celebrating what would have been Dian Fossey's 90th birthday. While her life was cut short, her impact was enormous and lives on in the growing mountain gorilla population, the only great ape that is increasing in the wild. We know she would be proud of the over 250 Fossey Fund staff who carry on her legacy every day of the year.

Happy Birthday Dian 🎂🎉 ...

Do you know how gorillas share knowledge? 🧠 Through research, it has been shown that social learning serves a very important role! It has even been shown that gorillas learn through imitation! 🤯 #wildlifeconservation #nature #gorillafacts

📸: Eric Ndayishimiye ...

Duhuze is just hanging out enjoying life! 😆😎
#conservation #wildlife #mountaingorillas

📸: James Munyawera ...

We love when we are able to capture beautiful pictures with clear skies and beautiful sun! #gorillas #conservation ⠀
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📸: Cedric Ujeneza ...

How cool is it that we are able to learn and see these wonderful animals so close? Head over to our learning and fun page to get in on some family friendly fun! (LINK IN BIO) #conservation #mountaingorillas⠀
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📸: Cedric Ujeneza ...

Nshunguye really does have the best hair ever! 🤗😆⠀
#gorillas #nature #wildlife #conservation⠀
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📸: Cedric Ujeneza ...