Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Adam Aspinall & Matthew Dresch

World's oldest gorilla celebrates turning 65 by tucking into tasty treat

Fatou, the world's oldest gorilla, tucked into a tasty treat to celebrate her 65th birthday.

The Western lowland gorilla chowed down on a rice cake and fruit to mark the milestone at Berlin Zoo.

The huge mammal licked her fingers clean after the delicious meal, eating up every last grain of rice.

Zookeeper Christian Aust said: "For her exceptionally old age, Fatou is a very sprightly old lady with a healthy appetite."

She originally grew up in the wild in West Africa, before being brought to France by a sailor.

The ape reportedly ended up in Berlin Zoo when she was two after the sailor traded her in to pay off his bar tab.

Fatou was originally brought to Europe by a sailor, before ending up in Berlin Zoo (Simone Kuhlmey/Pacific Press/REX/Shutterstock)

She has been the oldest living gorilla in the world since the death of 60-year-old Colo in 2017.

Meanwhile, Britain's oldest silverback gorilla celebrated his 40th birthday at Paignton Zoo in Devon today.

A pink tiered confection was among 40 gifts and treats for Pertinax on his landmark birthday.

Pert, as he is affectionately known by staff, has always loved being the centre of attention – in 1998, he even met Prince Philip.

The huge mammal has a 'healthy appetite', zookeeper Christian Aust said (Simone Kuhlmey/Pacific Press/REX/Shutterstock)

And in 2019, ahead of the Rugby World Cup, he showed off his sporting skills when he ran around with a rugby ball.

Silverback Pert is a father of three different groups, part of a vital European breeding programme for critically endangered western lowland gorillas.

He lives with his sons N’Dowe, Kivu and Kiondo, and his friend Claus, who came over from Germany with him.

Senior keeper Gemma Keohane said: “Pert is an absolute dream to work with. In his retirement, his personality has really mellowed.

Fatou has been the oldest living gorilla in the world since the death of 60-year-old Colo in 2017 (Simone Kuhlmey/Pacific Press/REX/Shutterstock)

"He is much more relaxed and even plays with keepers, something that he never really did before.

"He enjoys listening to music, especially when we sing to him. Working with Pert and the boys has been the highlight of my career.”

Gorillas in the wild normally live for around 35 to 40 years, but tend to live longer in captivity

They are critically endangered in their natural habitat because of poachers, the destruction of forests and other factors.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.