Johari the Gorilla Dies from Advanced Cardiac Disease
Incident Date:
05/07/2026
Location:
Toledo, OH - USA
Facility Name:
Toledo Zoo
Facility Type:
Accredited AZA Facility (AZA)
Incident Category:
Animal Death (AD)
Species:
Primates
Animal:
Gorilla
Animal disposition:
Dead
Summary:
TOLEDO, OH – The Toledo Zoo has announced the death of Johari, a 38-year-old western lowland gorilla, after her health declined due to advanced cardiac disease. Known as Jo to her keepers, the gorilla had been under medical supervision since her diagnosis last year.
According to a statement from the zoo on Thursday, veterinary teams managed her condition with medication and cardiac ultrasounds, but officials determined this week that her comfort could no longer be sustained as the heart failure progressed, so the decision was made to euthanize her on Wednesday.
Action take by Born Free USA:
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