Ozzie, the world's oldest male gorillas, died on the Atlanta Zoo on Tuesday, two weeks after the passing of one other gorilla named Choomba.

Ozzie, a western lowland gorilla, died at 61, in line with a information launch from the Atlanta Zoo. His explanation for dying remains to be unclear, the information launch stated. He was exhibiting indicators of lowered urge for food on Jan. 20 and skilled facial swelling, weak point, and an lack of ability to eat or drink within the 24 hours main as much as his dying, in line with the information launch.

"This can be a devastating loss for Zoo Atlanta. Whereas we knew this time would come sometime, that inevitability does nothing to stem the deep disappointment we really feel at dropping a legend," Raymond B. King, President and CEO of the Atlanta Zoo stated within the information launch. "Ozzie's life's contributions are indelible, within the generations of people he leaves behind within the gorilla inhabitants and on the earth's physique of information within the care of his species."

Ozzie was the primary gorilla to ever take part in a voluntary blood strain studying in 2009, in line with the information launch.

Via the zoo's partnership with the College of Georgia Zoo and Unique Animal Pathology Service within the Faculty of Veterinary Drugs, a necropsy, which is equal to an post-mortem for animals, will probably be carried out, the information launch stated.

Western Lowland Gorilla, World's Oldest Male, Dead
The western lowland gorilla is a critically endangered species threatened by illness and poaching, in line with the Smithsonian’s Nationwide Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. On this picture, French-born Western Lowland Gorilla male 12-year-old Kibali, explores the brand new Gorilla Forest exhibit at Taronga Zoo in Sydney on November 19, 2013. Greg Wooden/AFP through Getty Photos

One other western lowland gorilla, Choomba, died on the Atlanta Zoo, as properly, on Jan. 13, in line with one other information launch from the zoo. The 59-year-old feminine gorilla was the second-oldest gorilla on the zoo, the information launch stated.

Earlier than her dying, Choomba exhibited a noticeable decline in her bodily situation due to superior arthritis and different age-related issues, in line with the information launch. With issues for Choomba's consolation and high quality of life, together with a poor prognosis, she was euthanized, the information launch stated.

"Choomba leaves an incredible legacy at Zoo Atlanta, within the zoological gorilla inhabitants in North America, and within the hearts of those that knew her greatest," Dr. Jennifer Mickelberg, vp of collections and conservation on the Atlanta Zoo, stated on the time.

At round age 40, gorillas are thought-about geriatric, the information launch stated.

The western lowland gorilla is a critically endangered species threatened by illness and poaching, in line with the Smithsonian's Nationwide Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. During the last 20 to 25 years, the species' numbers have been lowered by over 60 %, the World Wildlife Fund reported. Scientists decided it will take roughly 75 years for its inhabitants to get better, even when all threats to the species had been eradicated.