Walt Disney World is mourning the death of Gino the gorilla, a mainstay of the Animal Kingdom theme park in Orlando, Florida. The primate was a member of the critically endangered western lowland gorilla species and had lived at Animal Kingdom since opening day in 1998.
“We are heartbroken to share the passing of Gino, our beloved 44-year-old western lowland gorilla,” Dr. Mark Penning, vice president of Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment division, wrote in an emotional tribute Wednesday on Instagram.
“For nearly 30 years, Gino touched countless lives at Disney’s Animal Kingdom with his playful spirit, gentle humor, and steady presence as a devoted father and troop leader,” continued Penning, who has been vice president of the department since 2012.
Animal Kingdom opened its doors on April 22, 1998, to coincide with Earth Day, an annual global celebration promoting environmental protection and sustainability. Gino was not only an original inhabitant but also a 400-pound standout at the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail.
The muscular primate reportedly beat his chest on a regular basis as visitors walked by.
