Jumoke (gorilla)

Jumoke (November 10, 1989 – August 18, 2008) was a western lowland gorilla at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Powell, Ohio.

Life

Jumoke was born on November 10, 1989 at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.Docent Newsletter, The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium: September 2008] She was the granddaughter of Colo, the first gorilla born in captivity and currently the oldest gorilla living in captivity. Jumoke was hand-reared until she was 18 months old. Because she was hand raised she had a hard time raising her own offspring and required the assistance of surrogates. Jumoke however did save the life of her son Jontu who was not breathing at birth. She put Jontu's head to her mouth and started breathing for him.

Jumoke died unexpectedly on August 18, 2008. The cause of death is believed to be complications from an earlier miscarriage.Kathy Gray (August 21, 2008). [http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/08/21/jumoke.ART_ART_08-21-08_B8_59B3IUA.html?sid=101 "Gorilla lost fetus before dying"] , "The Columbus Dispatch".]

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