April 5, 2006
By Thabang Mokoka
LISA, Johannesburg's popular female gorilla, is dead. She passed away after an emergency operation was performed on her on 5 April.
The life-long partner of Max, Lisa was being operated on following the discovery of a lump next to her left breast. Veterinarians suspected she had some form of cancer.
Senzo Ngcobo, marketing co-ordinator for the Johannesburg Zoo, said, "We suspected cancer, but will have to wait for laboratory results."
The operation, carried out by the zoo's senior veterinarian Dr Michelle Barrows, assisted by two human specialist doctors, began at about 11am. The human specialists were brought in because of Lisa's age - she was 35-years-old. Thirty-five is considered old for a gorilla, according to Ngcobo.
The operation ended at about 1pm. Shortly after that Lisa passed away. A shocked Johannesburg Zoo CEO Jenny Grey said, "I can't believe she died."
A post mortem will be conducted on the gorilla to find out the exact cause of death.
Lisa's partner Max died almost two years ago, in May 2004, of old age. Max became famous when he tackled a criminal on the run from police.
A year ago the zoo obtained another partner for Lisa, the 19-year-old Makoko.
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