Berlin Zoo celebrates Fatou, a 69‑year‑old western lowland gorilla, highlighting how specialised care in captivity can extend the lives of endangered species.
According to the zoo and Guinness World Records, Fatou, the world’s oldest known gorilla, was born around 13 April 1957 and brought to Berlin Zoo in 1959, when she was still very young. She has lived far beyond the 35 to 40 years typically seen in the wild, underlining the much longer lifespans gorillas can reach in well-managed zoo environments.
In April 2026, Berlin Zoo marked her 69th birthday with a special meal of soft vegetables and other suitable food rather than cake, reflecting the dietary needs of an elderly gorilla. The zoo has increasingly emphasised long-term care for ageing animals, including tailored feeding, quieter housing and regular veterinary monitoring.
Fatou became Berlin Zoo’s oldest resident after the death of a flamingo previously believed to be at least 75 years old, although the exact date of that change is not consistently reported. According to Guinness World Records, she was likely taken from West Africa as a young animal before being sold in Europe.
She now lives in a separate enclosure and shows signs of ageing, including tooth loss and mild arthritis. Berlin Zoo says her condition remains stable, and her case is often cited as an example of how carefully controlled environments can help endangered species live significantly longer than they would in the wild.
