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The eldest western lowland gorilla at Jersey Zoo has sadly passed away after a four-year battle with cervical cancer.
The gorilla house will remain closed for several days to allow the other animals time to adjust to the death of Kishka, the zoo said.
The 45-year-old gorilla was diagnosed with cancer in 2020, and her condition has been carefully monitored since then.
But after a "significant decline" over the past few weeks, staff decided to put Kishka to sleep today.
Pictured: Western lowland gorilla Kishka on her 40th birthday. (Charlie Wylie)
The gorilla team are working to ensure the rest of the troop, including silverback Badongo, females Bahasha and Hlala Kahilli, and four-year-old Amari, are managed sensitively following Kishka’s passing.
Kishka arrived at Jersey Zoo in 1984 when she was just six years old, and Durrell staff described her death as "incredibly sad".
Ben Matthews, Curator of Mammals at Jersey Zoo, said: “Losing Kishka has been incredibly sad for everyone at Durrell, especially the gorilla team.
"Over the years, Kishka was a stalwart of Jersey Zoo’s gorilla troop, taking life in her stride and at her own pace.
"She was known for her gentle temperament; acting as a stoic, matriarchal figure for many young gorillas, as well as helping to induct generations of young zookeepers into careers with great apes.”
Pictured: Kishka as a newborn baby with her mother. (Howletts Animal Park)
He added: “The gorilla team work tirelessly each and every day to provide the utmost care for the troop, whether it's Christmas Day, through inclement weather, or following the loss of an animal like Kishka.
"They have handled the process carefully and considerately and will continue to monitor the troop closely over the next few weeks.”
Jersey Zoo is currently working on a tribute to Kishka to celebrate her life.
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