Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is dealing with the loss of another beloved member of their animal family, Jim, a 37-year-old male western lowland gorilla. According to a statement on ABC Action News, Jim passed away after his health took a sudden downturn. The park had been providing him with intensive medical attention in the preceding weeks as his condition worsened.

Described as an "attentive father to Whimsey," Jim's role in the gorilla family came through some of the heartache that the park staff must now wrestle with. "Jim had been receiving round-the-clock care from our animal care and veterinary staff as his health declined over the past few weeks," the theme park revealed to FOX8. This unfortunate event marks the second such loss for the park; in August, Tinga, a 19-year-old female western lowland gorilla, also succumbed after a short illness.

The park's commitment is now shifting towards ensuring the vitality and emotional support of the remaining members of the troop. FOX8 reports that Busch Gardens emphasized their focus on the living animals following Jim's death, stating, "The team is now primarily focused on the health and well-being of the rest of the troop as they all grieve Jim’s death."

The back-to-back passings of Jim and Tinga raise concerns about the troupe's wellness and the potential impact of the losses on their tight-knit community. While Busch Gardens has not publicly speculated on the cause of the rapid health declines that took the lives of these gorillas, continuous care and observation for the remaining members of the troop are certainly a top priority.