HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The Houston Zoo is mourning the loss of 34-year-old Western lowland gorilla named Zuri.
Zoo officials said that the elderly gorilla was under treatment for severe gastrointestinal disease for the past few months.
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After assessing the worsening of his disease despite treatment, the gorilla team and the veterinarians made the decision to humanely euthanize the nearly 400-pound ape.
Zuri was the head of the family troop of gorillas. He was described as an easy-going silverback with a heart condition.
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According to experts, Zuri underwent treatment in partnership with MD Anderson cardiologists. Cardiac disease is a known problem for great apes, like gorillas.