The Joburg Zoo's, 210kg Western Lowland Gorilla Makokou, has had a speedy recovery just-in-time to mark his 35th birthday, today. This comes after recently being airlifted during the Covid-19 lockdown for a pre-op CT scan, followed by groundbreaking endoscopic surgery on 20 June 2020, to remove growths in his nasal passages to alleviate some of the concerns related to chronic sinusitis and a persistent nasal discharge.

A cake with all his favourite treats including a healthy topping of fruit, nuts and vegetables set in jelly, was brought out just before he made his grand entrance in the presence of his doting caregivers and to the sounds of clicking cameras.

Camera-shy Makokou, cautiously circled the cake before savouring the gifts of food laid out for him which included his favourite tea made of local 'rooibos'. He was joined by a few visiting friends including a peacock, a squirrel and a few birds who joined in the celebration to the amazement of the media present.

Makokou who is part of the international, Zoological Information Management Stud Book (ZIMS), was born on 9 July 1985 at the Wilhelma Zoo in Stuttgart, Germany and arrived at the Joburg Zoo at age 19, in 2004.

Birthday messages from residents and the global conservation community have been streaming in on the Joburg Zoo's Facebook and social media platforms. Dr Jenny Gray, former head of the Joburg Zoo and current Executive Officer of Zoos Victoria in New Zealand, sent a heartfelt birthday message recalling Makokou's arrival in 2004. “You have grown as an icon for Johannesburg with a giant presence that reminds us of the threats facing gorillas, and the importance of preserving nature. Gray stated that he was the best looking and her favourite and, “for thousands of children you are their point of contact with our closest cousins."

As part of the event, zoo officials observed a moments silence in memory of Kirungi and Rafiki, the two Silverbacks who were killed by poachers in the past year in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda and Poppy in Rwanda.

Councillor Margaret Arnolds, the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Development also took time during a council sitting to wish Makokou a happy birthday and to pay tribute to the caregivers and the medical teams from the Joburg Zoo; the private sector and the Onderstepoort Veterinary Hospital in healing the Zoo's prized-primate.

“We must all strive towards a post-Covid world that is compassionate and involved in the preservation of nature- if not for nature's sake, then for the sake of our own survival," she urged. “Zoo's serve as a window into the wonderful world we share with the animal kingdom and as parents and custodians, we all have a moral responsibility to teach our children, to protect these amazing creatures," she added.

Arnolds advised that the Johannesburg Zoo remains closed to the public, however a rotating complement of staff are ensuring that general animal husbandry of feeding, cleaning and enrichment continues uninterrupted. This includes monitoring and overseeing the management of Makokou's post-surgery recovery, until the nasal discharge subsides.

Makokou, who since his surgery has become somewhat of a celebrity, remained unmoved by the cameras and his visiting 'feathered-friends' who probably popped in to share in the birthday cake. It is hoped that while gorillas have a life expectancy of 35-40 years in the wild and around 50 years in Zoos, that Makokou too will remain healthy and will have a new partner to keep him company, for his next birthday.

Residents and fans of Makokou can send their message on WhatsApp to 0828030748 and this will be posted on Johannesburg Zoo's Facebook page. ENDS.

Issued on behalf of

Councillor Margaret Arnolds

Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Development

City of Joburg

For media enquiries:

Jenny Moodley

GM: Stakeholder and Media Relations

Tel: 082 8030 748/082 906 1515

Email: jmoodley@jhbcityparks.com

Website: www.jhbcityparks.com