Female gorilla dies at suburban Chicago zoo

[March 28, 2009]  BROOKFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Officials at a suburban Chicago zoo say a 48-year-old female gorilla has died following weeks of poor health.

Brookfield Zoo spokeswoman Kim Smith says Alpha was euthanized Thursday evening.

Zoo officials say Alpha was in the final stage of kidney failure and had started show signs of discomfort in the past few weeks.

Since her condition didn't improve, she was euthanized.

Alpha was born in the wild and became one of the oldest lowland gorillas living in captivity.

Also this week, a 9-year-old chimpanzee at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago died Tuesday.

Zoo officials say Kipper died of a mysterious respiratory infection. Six other chimpanzees he lived with have since been put under quarantine.

[Associated Press]

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