'It was not just about what she meant for the gorilla community but for whom she was as a gorilla. 'She was the coolest animal I have ever worked with and caring for her was the highlight of my career,' said assistant curator Audra Meinelt. Blood and tissue samples will also be collected to benefit the world zoo community's efforts to learn more about this endangered species. At that time surgeons felt they obtained clean, wide margins when they removed the mass and until a necropsy (animal autopsy) is performed it is unknown if the cancer contributed to her death. A malignant tumour was removed from under her arm on December 3, 2016. Prior to cremation, the zoo will conduct a complete postmortem examination to further define the cause of death. Thomas also found Colo, still in her amniotic sac, shortly after birth and provided mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to revive the lifeless baby.Ĭolo will be cremated and her ashes buried at an undisclosed location at the Columbus Zoo. Despite Davis' concerns that his prized gorillas would hurt each other if kept together, Thomas allowed them to spend time together, which resulted in the birth of Colo.

He defied orders from then zoo Director Earl Davis to keep Colo's parents, Baron Macombo and Millie Christina, apart. Colo's first keeper, veterinary student named Warren Thomas, was credited for both Colo's birth and her survival.

She was the first zoo-born gorilla in an era when little was known about conserving the western lowland gorilla. History was made when Colo was born at the Columbus Zoo on December 22, 1956.

Macombo columbus zoo