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[gregory nahas <lettherebemonkeys AT yahoo.com>]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=573&ncid=757&e=8&u=/nm/20040505/od_nm/safrica_gorilla_dc

Crime-Fighting Gorilla Dies

Wed May 5, 8:10 AM ET  Add Oddly Enough - Reuters to
My Yahoo! 
 
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - A gorilla who became a cult
figure in crime-ridden South Africa after he was shot
confronting an armed robber on the run died on
Wednesday, the Johannesburg Zoo said. 
   
Max, a 200 kg (440 pound) ape, rose to fame in 1997
after being wounded by a terrified gunman who made the
mistake of jumping a moat into his zoo enclosure while
fleeing police. 

Max was shot as he fiercely defended his territory. He
also vented his anger on two policemen in pursuit,
biting one on the buttocks and arm. 

"Max died in his sleep in the early hours of this
morning," the Johannesburg Zoo said in a brief
statement. 

A zoo spokeswoman said the celebrity primate was 33. A
post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause
of death. 

Max became a hero in a city blighted by violent crime
and police used him as a "mascot" in crime prevention
programs. 

"Max helped raise community awareness about
crime...it's sad (that he died)," said Johannesburg
police spokesman Chris Wilken. 

Police also presented Max with a bulletproof vest --
which was several sizes too small. 







        
                
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