BERLIN — April 12, 2025 — Fatou, the oldest living gorilla in captivity, is celebrating her 68th birthday this weekend at the Berlin Zoo, where she has resided for over six decades.
Born in 1957, Fatou arrived in Berlin in 1959 when the city was still divided into East and West. Since then, she has become one of the zoo’s most iconic and cherished residents. To mark her milestone birthday, zookeepers presented her with a special treat: a basket filled with soft fruits and vegetables prepared to suit her dietary needs, as she no longer has teeth.
Despite her advanced age, Fatou remains in stable health and receives careful attention from veterinary staff and keepers. She lives alone in a quiet enclosure, separate from the zoo’s other gorillas, whose ages range from 4 to 39. The arrangement ensures that Fatou can enjoy a peaceful environment tailored to her needs in her twilight years.
In the wild, gorillas typically live between 35 and 40 years. Those in human care can live longer due to medical support and stable conditions, but Fatou’s age remains a rare achievement for the species.
Fatou also holds the distinction of being the zoo's oldest animal following the death of Ingo, a flamingo believed to have been at least 75 years old. Ingo had lived at the Berlin Zoo since 1955.
As Fatou quietly marks another year, she continues to be a living symbol of resilience and longevity, drawing admiration from visitors and animal lovers around the world.
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