Beloved Gorilla, Bana, Dies at Lincoln Park Zoo

Chicago (March 28, 2024) – Lincoln Park Zoo reports that on March 26, the difficult yet responsible decision was made to euthanize 29-year-old female western lowland gorilla Bana.

Bana was diagnosed with congestive cardiac failure on March 8, followed by a second diagnosis of bronchopneumonia on March 15. Following her diagnoses, Animal Care and Veterinary staff worked diligently to ensure she was taking her medications in an effort to improve her heart’s function. Unfortunately, full recovery in this condition is not possible, and in this case, even stabilization was not successful. After an abrupt decline on March 26, veterinarians made the difficult but appropriate recommendation to euthanize her.

Bana was born at Brookfield Zoo in 1995 and came to Lincoln Park Zoo in 2010. During her time here, she became a consistent and reliable participant in the cognitive touch screen programs at the zoo’s Regenstein Center for African Apes and would often make sure she could go first.

“Bana has left an undeniable mark on the hearts of zoo staff, volunteers, and visitors, and played an important role in her own troop,” said Curator of Primates Jill Moyse. “Bana was not only a great mother, but she was very tolerant of her babies and other babies in the group playing on top of her. She loved spending time in the outside yard and sometimes could be seen foraging out there by herself.”

Bana was the dominant female in the family gorilla troop at Lincoln Park Zoo, which is led by silverback Kwan and includes her son Djeke. The troop also consists of female Rollie and her son Mondika, and female Bahati and her daughter Bella. The troop was able to visit with Bana after her passing as they would naturally do in the wild.

Animal Care staff will continue to monitor the troop’s behavior in the weeks following the loss of Bana.

Western lowland gorillas are considered critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. On top of caring for the animals here in Chicago, Lincoln Park Zoo researchers also monitor gorilla health and behavior in the Republic of Congo through the Goualougo Triangle Ape Project.

The Lincoln Park Zoo family is incredibly saddened by this difficult loss. For more information about the gorilla troops, visit lpzoo.org.

About Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo inspires communities to create environments where wildlife will thrive in our urbanizing world. The zoo is a leader in local and global conservation, animal care and welfare, learning, and science. A historic Chicago landmark founded in 1868, the not-for-profit Lincoln Park Zoo is a privately-managed, member-supported organization and is free and open 365 days a year. Visit us at lpzoo.org.