Jacksonville Zoo Gorilla Dies Unexpectedly at Age 35
Incident Date:
08/23/2024
Location:
Jacksonville, FL - USA
Facility Name:
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
Facility Type:
Accredited AZA Facility (AZA)
Incident Category:
Animal Death (AD)
Species:
Primates
Animal:
Gorilla
Animal disposition:
Dead
Summary:
Jacksonville, FL – A gorilla named Bulera at the Jacksonville Zoo has died unexpectedly due to shigella. Shigella is a bacterium that mainly affects the intestines and can cause digestive complications. According to the zoo, “Although we may never know the exact source, the bacteria may have come from an asymptomatic ape or, though unlikely, a staff member.”
Since Shigella is highly contagious, the zoo is treating other apes in the primate section that have shown symptoms. The zoo said it has 10 gorillas and most of the apes have shown symptoms. The animals are at different stages of recovery. The animals are staying in their indoor spaces so that the “staff can monitor them.”
The zoo said Bulera was born at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago in 1989. She came to Jacksonville in 2009 with her daughter, Madini, to be a companion for a silverback gorilla, Quito.
*Update: two bonobo brothers have also died of the same infection.
Action take by Born Free USA:
Notes: