10-04-2025
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo remembers 48-year-old gorilla, fifth oldest in US before passing
DENVER (KDVR) — The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo had to say goodbye to a longtime friend and familiar face, the 48-year-old gorilla Roxie, who was humanely euthanized on Tuesday due to her age affecting her health.
Roxie, who the zoo called their 'Gorilla Icon,' was the fifth oldest Western lowland gorilla in the U.S. and the third oldest female among the species.
She was the zoo's oldest animal companion and had spent her whole life alongside generations of gorilla friends, staff and visitors alike after being born at the zoo in 1976, four years before CDs, camcorders and the Nintendo Game Boy.
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The zoo said Roxie never had the opportunity to be a mother but became the perfect 'cool aunt' that was integral to the cohesiveness and upbringing of the gorilla troop, whose species is critically endangered.
Roxie became the aunt to a 32-year-old female, Asha, and loved to wrestle and play with her when she was a baby. She also became a pillar for 32-year-old female Kwisha, who was relocated to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo after her birth mother didn't accept her at eight months old.
Her love for Asha manifested in a new generation when she was able to love on and play with Asha's offspring, her daughter Tumani and her son Dembe, who were eventually relocated to another Association of Zoos and Aquariam accredited zoo.
She also played matchmaker by helping to integrate Goma, a male silverback, into the troop. The zoo said her calm, gentle but respectable dominance helped Goma learn how to interact with the other females of the troop, as well as allowing the females to see her interacting in a positive way with Goma to relieve fear.
'She was the first gorilla we ever saw have a tickle fight with Goma,' said Primate World keeper Ashton Asbury in a press release. 'Goma and Roxie shared a special relationship. She gave him grace and reacted calmly to his natural displays, which helped the troop's level of calmness during some of those introductions, but she also banded with other females to help him learn limits.'
Roxie was known for her ornery nature, constantly tapping on her troop's behinds when trying to initiate play. The zoo said even in her old age, she would beat her chest, clap and make excited grumbles when the keepers would come train with her.
'I think about how much her life and world changed over the years, and how much our profession has advanced in terms of animal welfare during Roxie's life,' said Debbie Fenton, senior keeper in Primate World. Fenton has worked with Roxie for 20 years. 'She taught us that you can teach an older gorilla new husbandry tactics and make things better together. She became quite the expert at participating in her own care.'
The day Roxie passed was a heavy day, not only for the zoo staff but for her troop as well.
Gorillas are highly intelligent and social creatures who will feel the void left by Roxie. After she had passed, the keepers brought Asha, Kwisha and Goma to her to try and help them understand the absence of Roxie.
Keepers said they are going to closely monitor the troop as they adapt without Roxie, whose legacy will carry on with the troop of three.
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The zoo said it wants to have the public honor her legacy and the lives of the endangered species by having visitors recycle small electronic devices at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
More information about the zoo can be found on the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo website.
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