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Published on January 16, 2025
Zoo Knoxville Mourns the Loss of Kowali, Beloved 47-Year-Old Gorilla and Conservation AmbassadorSource:© Anil Öztas / Zoo Krefeld, FAL, via Wikimedia Commons

Zoo Knoxville is navigating through a somber time following the loss of Kowali, a 47-year-old Western lowland gorilla known for her endearing nature and significance to conservation efforts. She was one of the venerable members of the zoo's gorilla troop, and her passing yesterday was met with an outpouring of grief from the staff and the community. Born in January of 1978 at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, Kowali's life spanned several decades and multiple zoo habitats before settling in Tennessee in 2013.

Monitoring the health of their animals is a routine procedure at Zoo Knoxville. When a change in Kowali's behavior was observed, veterinary staff investigated further, leading to a somber diagnosis. "We performed an ultrasound and heart echocardiogram which revealed signs of heart failure," said Dr. Andrew Cushing, UTCVM clinical associate professor and specialist in zoological medicine, as per WVLT. The condition was deemed irreversible, a fact that weighed heavy on the hearts of those caring for her.

The story of Kowali is not only due to her memorable personality but also her contribution to raising awareness about the challenges her species face. "Kowali’s life helped raise awareness about the urgent threats facing western lowland gorillas," said Bill Street, CEO and President of Zoo Knoxville, as reported by the Knoxville Daily Sun. Her narrative served as a poignant reminder of the importance of modern zoos in both wildlife education and conservation.

The loss of such an animal as Kowali is felt in Knoxville and echoes in the global conversation surrounding endangered species and their habitat preservation. Kowali represented not just a gorilla making her home in a zoo but an ambassador for her species, bringing light to the plights of the Western lowland gorillas, which include habitat loss, poaching, and disease. According to WBIR, she was a figure through which many learned the importance of active conservation efforts in ensuring such majestic creatures can continue to thrive for generations to come.