Colo, the first gorilla ever born in a zoo, turned 58 Monday at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, celebrating with a cake shaped like Ohio and that contained gorilla-favorite ingredients like peanut butter and applesauce.
Colo, short for Columbus, is the oldest gorilla in captivity in the United States, and she’s been a celebrity since her birth in 1956.
At the time, Mayor Jack Sensenbrenner handed out “It’s a girl” cigars. The zoo almost lost the gorilla twice, first when she was born prematurely and second when she got pneumonia at age 6.
Colo, a western lowland gorilla, was raised by people after she was taken from her mother, Millie, because it was feared Millie would harm her. Although Colo’s birth was a coup when it occurred, it’s not uncommon now for gorillas to be born in captivity.
Colo has three children, 16 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.
At age 58, Colo seems to be doing well.
“She does not appear to have a single bit of trouble with her eyes or ears,"
assistant curator Audra Meinelt told UPI. "Mostly, she has arthritis in her hands and feet."
Along with her special birthday cake, Colo is getting a party and gifts like oranges.
Colo’s birthday party was
livestreamed on the zoo’s website.
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