Gorilla dies at Columbus Zoo

Associated Press

POWELL, Ohio

A gorilla who was an adoptive father to 16 gorillas has died at an Ohio zoo. He was believed to be 47 years old.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium said Mumbah was eating breakfast with his family when he collapsed Friday morning. An animal-care team had tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate him.

A zoo spokeswoman said a necropsy of the animal showed he died of heart failure. She said he also had a history of hypertension.

The gorilla was born in Africa and was well past a male gorilla’s life expectancy of 31 years. He came to the Columbus Zoo in 1984 from Howletts Wild Animal Park in England.