COLUMBUS, Ohio – Every birthday she celebrates is a landmark and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s gorilla, Colo, will mark No. 58 on Monday, Dec. 22.
Colo was the first gorilla born in human care in 1956 and is recognized as the oldest gorilla to have ever lived, zoo officials said. The median life expectancy for female gorillas living in zoos is about 37 years.
On her birthday this year, guests can Colo unwrap presents of tomatoes and clementines, enjoy an Ohio-shaped, nutrient-rich birthday cake, and will be serenaded by a chorus of zoo staff and fans.
For the second year in a row, visitors can join the festivities online as well as on grounds. A special birthday video will be aired at 1:30 p.m. EST, followed by a livestream broadcast of the celebration at 2 p.m.
Guests can also join the conversation on Twitter and Facebook by using the #ColoGorilla tag.
Colo is a western lowland gorilla, an endangered species threatened by poaching, habitat destruction and Ebola.
Colo’s family tree includes three children, 16 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.