Zola, a 23-year-old western lowland gorilla whose pool 'breakdancing' videos made him an internet fixture, died Wednesday at the Dallas Zoo. Zoo veterinary and animal care teams euthanized him after a rapid decline marked by lethargy, reduced appetite, and other signs of discomfort, and staff were unable to get him breathing on his own despite resuscitation efforts. A full necropsy is underway, and plans to relocate the bachelor gorilla troop to San Antonio are temporarily on hold.
As reported by CultureMap Dallas, the zoo announced the death yesterday, noting that staff provided fluids, antibiotics, and diagnostics before the decision to euthanize. "Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to begin breathing on his own afterward, despite the extraordinary efforts of our veterinary and animal care teams," the post said. A full necropsy will determine the cause of Zola's decline.
Move to San Antonio temporarily on hold
The Dallas Zoo had been preparing to transfer several bachelor males — including Zola and his half-brother Shana — to the San Antonio Zoo, but the relocation is now paused while staff tend to the remaining troop. As reported by CBS News Texas, the zoo said the other males are being closely monitored and that the move will resume "when the time is right."
Zola's background and viral fame
Per the gorilla studbook, Dewar Wildlife, Zola was born at the Bronx Zoo on November 1, 2002, and is listed at the Dallas Zoo. His 2013 move from the Calgary Zoo — and the splash of viral videos that followed — were reported by the Dallas Observer.
Context and what comes next
Zola’s death follows another high-profile loss at the park; in 2023, the zoo reported the death of Ajabu, a young elephant who succumbed to elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus, per the Dallas Zoo. The zoo says it will share necropsy findings when available and has asked for privacy for its animal-care teams as they continue monitoring the remaining gorillas.
