Fatou, World’s Oldest Gorilla, Turns 69 at Berlin Zoo

Fatou, the world’s oldest gorilla living in captivity, celebrated her 69th birthday on April 13, 2026, at the Berlin Zoo in Germany.

The western lowland gorilla marked the occasion with a feast consisting of lettuce, leeks, beets, and cherry tomatoes. Zoo officials confirmed that Fatou did not receive a birthday cake, as sugar is considered unhealthy for aging primates.

Arrival and Origins

Fatou arrived in West Berlin in 1959. While her exact birth date is not known, April 13 serves as her designated birthday. At the time of her arrival in Berlin, she was believed to be approximately two years old.

According to the Guinness World Records, Fatou was likely born in the wild in western Africa. The records state that a French sailor took her from Africa and subsequently bartered the gorilla to cover a bar tab in Marseille, France. Following this exchange, a French animal trader reportedly sold her to the Berlin Zoo.

Health and Current Status

In her old age, Fatou resides in an enclosure of her own. She currently prefers to maintain her distance from the other gorillas housed at the zoo.

The gorilla faces several age-related health challenges, including hearing loss, and arthritis. She has also lost her teeth.

Christian Aust, the primate supervisor at the Berlin Zoo, noted that while Fatou remains friendly with the zookeepers, she can still be a bit stubborn.

Zoo Records and Lifespan

Fatou became the oldest resident of the Berlin Zoo in 2024. She succeeded Ingo the flamingo, who had lived at the zoo since 1955 and was believed to be at least 75 years old at the time of his death.

Gorillas typically live between 35 and 40 years in the wild, though they can achieve longer lifespans when living in captivity.