Pittsburgh Zoo's Beloved Gorilla Harry Dies Unexpectedly

PITTSBURGH, PA — Harry, a beloved Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium western lowland gorilla and longtime member of the zoo family, died unexpectedly on Tuesday. He was 33.

Zoo officials said Harry died of a sudden cardiac event despite attempts to resuscitate him. In consultation with the Great Ape Heart Project, a group of specialists that focuses on understanding and treating heart disease in great apes, Harry had been receiving treatment for heart disease since 2022.

The eldest male in the zoo’s gorilla troop of six, Harry was born on June 14, 1991, at the Cincinnati Zoo and came to Pittsburgh on October 30, 1992. He was favorite of zoo staff and guests alike.

Curator of Mammals Kelsey Forbes remembers Harry fondly for growing into a great silverback – a gentle gorilla who took quickly to becoming both troop leader and a paternal figure after the passing of Mrithi in 2024.

“Harry was amazing with all of the gorilla ‘kids’ and was vigilant and protective with them," Forbes said. "He was an absolutely special boy and had the best laugh of all our gorillas.”

Native to the rainforests of Africa’s Congo Basin, western lowland gorillas are currently listed as critically endangered with a rapidly diminishing population. According to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, male western lowland gorillas have a median life expectancy of 32 years.

Gorillas – whose hearts are very similar to those of humans – are known for being highly susceptible to cardiac disease.