World’s Oldest Gorilla Celebrates 69th Birthday After More Than 65 Years at One Zoo
Fatou has lived nearly twice as long as most gorillas, making her one of the oldest ever — and she just turned 69.
She has outlived most gorillas by decades, lost all her teeth and still enjoys a birthday spread of cherry tomatoes and beets. Meet Fatou—the oldest gorilla living in captivity anywhere on Earth.
The western lowland gorilla celebrated her 69th birthday on April 13 at the Berlin Zoo, where staff marked the occasion with a special meal tailored to her aging body, per AP. Her birthday feast included cherry tomatoes, beets, leeks and lettuce. Cake, however, was off the table—zoo staff skipped it due to health considerations for the elderly primate.
The world’s oldest gorilla’s life has spanned nearly seven decades
Fatou is believed to have been born in 1957 in West Africa. Her exact birthdate is unknown, so April 13 has been designated as her official birthday.
Her path to Berlin reads like something out of another era. According to Guinness World Records, Fatou arrived in Europe in 1959 via Marseille, France, after reportedly being taken from the wild by a French sailor and later sold to the zoo.
She has lived at the Berlin Zoo ever since, making her its longest-residing animal—a tenure stretching more than 65 years.
Fatou has outlived nearly every peer
Here’s where the numbers get remarkable. In the wild, western lowland gorillas typically live 35 to 40 years. Fatou has nearly doubled that lifespan. Even among gorillas in captivity, which can live longer than their wild counterparts, reaching 69 is extraordinary.
Fatou became the Berlin Zoo’s oldest resident in 2024 following the death of Ingo the flamingo, which had lived at the zoo since 1955 and was believed to be at least 75 years old.
Fatou’s legacy extends well beyond longevity. She gave birth to a daughter, Dufte, in 1974—the first gorilla ever born at the Berlin Zoo. Although Dufte died in 2001, Fatou’s family line lives on. She has living descendants, including her granddaughter M’penzi and at least three great-great-great-grandchildren as of 2026.
That lineage—spanning five generations—is a quiet testament to how long Fatou has been around.
What daily life looks like for the world’s oldest gorilla
Age has changed Fatou’s world considerably. Due to her advanced years, she lives in a separate enclosure and receives dedicated care from zoo staff. She has lost her teeth and experiences arthritis and hearing loss. She generally avoids interaction with other gorillas.
Her days are quieter now, shaped by the attentive care of a team that has watched her age far beyond what anyone might have expected.
Zoo director Andreas Knieriem said in a previous statement:
“We are very proud to have been able to accommodate an animal with us now for more than half a century. We are pleased that Fatou is in such good health despite her age.”
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