Alberta will be missed!
Alberta, a well-known and popular gorilla resident of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, died peacefully in her sleep last night, October 13, 2011.
Born on March 21, 1979, at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, California, to Alvila and Freddy, Alberta was initially cared for by her mother. However, it was soon apparent that Alvila had no milk to feed her baby, so Alberta was cared for by the zoo director’s wife until she was healthy enough to be moved to the Safari Park. On April 23, 1979, Alberta arrived at the Park and was raised in our Animal Care Center, where she quickly became a favorite of visitors and employees.
Starting at about three months old, she made daily visits to the Park’s gorilla exhibit with her keepers, where she met her grandmother, Vila, and other members of the troop. Once she was old enough to move permanently to the exhibit, Vila took over her care.
Alberta flourished in the normal gorilla family troop, learned appropriate gorilla behavior, and helped raise little ones. Eventually, when Winston came to the Park, Alberta was introduced to him, and they had three offspring (Ione, Mbili, and Ndjole). Alberta’s mothering style was far from the norm but very successful. Gorilla mothers usually have their infants riding on their backs at about 3 months of age; 10 days old was Alberta’s idea. She also adopted an infant (Kebara) from a female (Penny) who was not prepared for motherhood. Alberta was still lactating and able to feed and care for the infant. Her own infant, Ndjole, was 10½ months old at the time. With Alberta and Ndjole’s help, Penny learned appropriate maternal behavior and subsequently was involved in raising both of those infants.
Since Monroe’s birth in June 2011, Alberta had been spending lots of time building her relationship with Kokamo, Monroe’s mother. As a result, Alberta was able to hold and play with Monroe occasionally and with increasing frequency.
Alberta recently had some shoulder issues and was a willing participant in her physical therapy, as she enjoyed all the attention from her keepers. A unique character, Alberta was an important influence in her troop, capable of solving complex social issues. She will be tremendously missed by Winston, Vila, Kami, Kokamo, and Monroe, and well as her keepers, Park staff, and visitors.
Peggy Sexton is a lead keeper at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Read her previous post, Gorilla Vila is 52!
See our Facebook photo tribute to Alberta’s life…
Update (October 21, 2011): The gorilla Alberta, who died recently at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, is greatly missed by the animal care staff who worked with her. Her death was sudden and unexpected. Necropsy findings indicate that she died from an aortic dissection that ruptured (sometimes called a dissecting aneurysm).
This is so sad. I was just reading the new article about the gorillas in Zoonooz, and thought it was so lovely how Alberta tries to get close to and touch little Monroe. Do you know what caused her death?
Moderator’s note: It is sad, indeed. It may take a few days to determine the cause.
I was privileged enough to work with Alberta in my time in the mammal department at the park. Alberta was, to put it quite simply, a phenomenal gorilla. I will miss her dearly. My condolences to the gorilla staff and the gorillas. Alberta will be sorely missed.
Hi Peggy,
Thank you for your loving Tribute to Alberta, and sharing so much about her as well as her intelligence and gentle ways. Please accept and share my deepest condolences of sympathy for Dear Alberta’s passing with her Keepers and the SDZ Safari Park Staff. I am very saddened that she is gone, but I embrace her memory and the joy in knowing she was loved so much, and that she was a beloved grandmother. I always love to sit for a good while and just watch the Gorilla Troop be themselves; excited in high spirits or just peacefully enjoying their tranquil surroundings. All the SDZ Gorillas are so very special to everyone, especially me.
Jerry
Like the many thousands of other visitors, having had the opportunity to observe Alberta with her troop enriched my understanding and appreciation for these wonderful and complex animals. My condolences to her gorilla troop and also to her human “troop” of keepers, especially to her surrogate mom, Peggy.
I am saddened by this news. I visited the park just after she was permanently with the troup and your staff told us her story. I always look for her when visiting. Almost like seeing an old friend.
You didn’t say what she died from. Will you post again when you know? She will be remembered by so many people.
Moderator’s note: We can post an update when we find out.
My condolences, Peggy & April. I have many fond memories of the old girl, and know she leaves a big hole in your hearts. Thinking of you at this difficult time.
Marcia
This is such sad news…I was at the Park today, and passed by the gorilla exhibit, but only Winston was out. Didn’t think anything of it. I will miss seeing her
All my condolences,
karin
With tears in my eyes, I am so sad to read about Alberta’s passing. She will certainly be missed by so many. She was a grand old girl.
As a volunteer gorilla keeper at my local zoo I know how wonderful these magnificent creatures are. Alberta must have been a joy to work with and I’m sure she will be missed by the zoo staff, her troop and the zoo visitors as well. My deepest condolences to all.
I was there last Saturday morning to see Monroe, and also got to see Alberta.
Who discovered that Alberta had died – one of the keepers? Did the gorillas get to see the body of Alberta being removed? I am sure that the gorillas, especially Winston and Kokomo will be aware of her absence. To what extent do gorillas mourn?
I wonder whether the extreme Santa Anna weather contributed in some slight way to her death at this time, i.e. pushed a very weak geriatric gorilla over the edge.
Just read your newest article about Alberta late tonite! Sad to read that she has passed away last nite, October 13th. I figured out her age–she was 32 years old! She lived a long, blessed life at SDZ! From what I read, Alberta was pretty active up thru yesterday, so this has to be a huge shock to everybody when you found out about this. Condolences to all of the SDZ and WAP keepers and staff, to all of the gorillas in Alberta’s family troop. Hope that you will let us know what Alberta died from when you get the necropsy results back soon. You all will miss her alot!
Got a question: do gorilla families have a sense of mourning when a family member passes away? Hope to get an answer to that question. That will be an interesting topic to write about. Thanks!!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
One of the best things about having worked at the WILD ANIMAL PARK was getting to know ….and learn about fascinating animals like Alberta. She was exceptional. Many a day I would walk up to the exhibit, and Alberta would have her back turned to a group of shouting, annoying guests. I would say hello, and she would turn around to look at me and acknowledge me, sometimes putting her hands over her head and clap! She will be missed!
I lived in Fresno when Alberta was born and followed her progress daily in the Fresno Bee newspaper until she “moved” to San Diego. When my husband and I moved to San Diego in late 1979, we joined the Zoo Society and made frequent visits to the Zoo and Wild Animal Park, always stopping by the Gorillas, in hope of seeing our baby Alberta. We felt a “connection” and were very proud of her. I’ll miss her – I am so sad today.
My heart goes out to the SDZ, for their loss !
I am cying ,cannot help it. I have visited Alberta for the past 30 years and watcher her life from a youngster to become a wonderful mother. I cryed when her daughter Ione died. Always loved her beautiful golden eyes. Her pictures together with the whole troop from the zoo and park are decorating the walls in my computer room. RIP dear Alberta, you will be missed and remembert for ever.
Carola, it’s ok, I cried lots too. Animals deserve our mourning. Ione was a sweet girl just starting to interact like her mother, I was upset by her death as well. It’s wonderful to remember that at one time we had, between the park & the zoo, FIVE (5) generations of Alberta’s wonderful family.
P.S. Those golden eyes will help us smile when we think of ‘our’ girl.
Too Wild Anumal Park. I Hurd the sad news in our paper I’m sad it happen too the nicest gril all my Prays & Love gose out too all there. Mimi
Too all. My tears flow.
I read the blog about Alberta today and I was surprised about this. I am a fan of western lowland gorillas. At least Monroe was born to still keep the population healthy at the Park. I am very sorry about Alberta’s death. At least she died in her sleep and is in Heaven with her mother, Alvila.
I remember going to the Park in June 2011 and seeing Alberta with Vila, Kamilah, Winston, and Kokamo. Alberta was laying under a shade tree down by the doorway to the gorilla bedrooms. I can’t stand it when visitors call them monkeys!!!
Alberta will be missed! It will be interesting to see how it will affect the troop.
How much does Winston weigh? I hear he weighs 600 pounds.
Last time I talked to the keepers. Winston weighed around 450 lbs. At one point he did weigh close to 600 lbs.
My condolences to you Peggy and all the gorilla keepers, I can imagine what Alberta meant to you. When I moved here in 1994 and met Alberta I was instantly drawn to her, she has remained my ‘favorite’ gorilla since then. Her unique personality was a big part of her charm. We got to know each other over the years, I’d call her name and she would turn around, she would clap her hands over her head or smack the wall and more than once throw some “goodie’ in my direction (which I took as a compliment!) For about the last 8 months I’ve been visiting the park weekly (most of my time spent with the gorillas) I am forever grateful I made the decision to do that as I will always cherish those memories. I will miss Alberta, the sweetest gorilla, every day and she will always have a special place in my heart. Peace to you, Alberta.
Thank You Diane for sharing this wonderful memory and interaction you experienced with Alberta. She will always and forever be our Heavenly Gorilla Girl.
Thank you too, Jerry. Just this year I believe I learned why I felt a connection with Alberta, we share the same birthday! March 21st! (though I am a bit older.)
Dear Peggy and Staff – My condolences on the passing of Alberta. There is no doubt that her Troop and everyone who knew her will sorely miss Alberta. May she rest in peace.
It was helpful to hear about the sociology of the Gorilla’s… Can you tell us more about how the other gorillas are dealing with this loss?
As we are sure sure you can understand, animal care staff at the Safari Park are feeling the loss of Alberta and are not available to respond to this inquiry right now. With past great ape deaths, we notice other members of the troop coming over to check on the animal, and once they have determined he or she is dead, they move away. There is no way for us to know their feelings in these situations.
So sorry for your loss. May Alberta be in gorilla heaven now.
To remember Alberta, I opened a food stand called Alberta’s. It features many foods that Alberta was fed and are also edible to humans. Mainly fruits and vegetables.
My condolences to you Peggy, and to the rest of Alberta’s troop, human and gorilla.
As former members of the Zoological Society, we made several trips to the park and always enjoyed watching the gorillas interact with each other. Our condolences to the entire Safari Park family and especially her “keepers”.
My heart is broken, tears are flowing–and what I am feeling has to be magnified at least ten times in the hearts of your wonderful keepers and friends. Rest in peace my beautiful, sweet, loving Alberta–may you be surrounded in beauty now and forever. May the pain and hole in your keepers’ hearts soon be replaced with sweet and loving memories. You are already terribly missed.
Blessed Be With Love, Judy J
Rest in Peace Alberta you will be so missed. I have watched you for so long. Since you first came to the Park when I myself was just 11 years old. I watched you grow into such a wonderful mother and such and beautiful gorilla. I saw your relationship with the most handsome Winston and all your children and children you fostered you will be missed by me so much.
Suzy
I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of Alberta. My thoughts are with the keepers and her troop as they adjust to her passing. She is now a gorilla angel in heaven looking down on us and we were all blessed at having known her.
So sad, I’m very sorry to hear of Albertas passing.
Godspeed Alberta!
I am just one more of many to mourn the loss of Alberta! she must not have suffered too much as she died in her sleep! that is good to know! although it does present questions as to why and what went wrong that no one noticed anything wrong ahead of time! maybe it was her heart! that would explain alot! hopefully you will be able to find the cause of her sudden and unexpected death! RIP!!
Alberta! gone but not forgotten! she leaves many human mourners in the wake of her passing along with her beloved gorilla troop!!!!
Moderator’s note: Necropsy findings indicate that she died from an aortic dissection that ruptured (sometimes called a dissecting aneurysm).
I so sad, but she die for natural causes, My condolences for all the staff.
Rest in peace Alberta.
Paula
RIP sweet dear.
What a wonderful friend we’ve lost. I too have stood and watched the interaction of Alberta’s and by proxy, our extended family. Sad, but what a legacy she left behind. Teaching others to be mothers and friends – what better way to be remembered.
thanks moderator for your reply and cause of alberta’s death! an aneurysm! I guess it would be something like that which would strike with no warning. either that or a heart attack or stroke! at least you know what the cause was and that there was nothing you could have done and nothing was overlooked!! the same thing happens in the human race! and, they are very much like us in some reguards whether we want to admit it or not! sympathy to everyone who worked with and loved her!