Popular gorilla Lulu dies at Ohio's Columbus Zoo

[January 26, 2011]  COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- A popular female gorilla thought to be 46 years old has died at an Ohio zoo.

Officials at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium say Lulu died Monday after suffering seizures that began Saturday. The zoo says the western lowland gorilla had not previously shown signs of illness, except arthritis.

The animal equivalent of an autopsy is being performed.

Zoo President Dale Schmidt said in a statement Tuesday that Lulu was a zoo favorite known for her pink tongue that was perpetually sticking out.

Lulu was born in Africa and brought to New York's Central Park Zoo in 1966 when she was approximately 2 years old. The gorilla later moved to the Bronx Zoo, and arrived in Columbus in 1984.

[Associated Press]

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