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[Joe Garden <joegarden AT yahoo.com>]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060704/ap_on_sc/zoo_gorilla_dies

Second gorilla dies at D.C. National Zoo

Mon Jul 3, 10:14 PM ET

WASHINGTON - Another western lowland gorilla died at the National Zoo on
Monday, days after the zoo's only other adult male died while veterinary
specialists tried to implant a cardiac device.

Mopie, a 34-year-old male, collapsed and died Monday at the Great Ape
House. The animal was found in 1998 to have a chronic disease of the heart
muscle that decreased its ability to pump blood.

Officials were awaiting a final pathology report that might provide more
information about the cause of Mopie's death.

A 23-year-old gorilla named Kuja that died Saturday was the only other
adult male in National Zoo's collection of seven western lowland gorillas.

Though Kuja's heart function was found to be normal for his age during a
routine physical in late March, members of the zoo staff reported the
animal was lethargic and experienced appetite loss this month.

A June 20 ultrasound showed that Kuja's heart muscle was unable to
contract normally, and his heart's pumping capacity had diminished.

The animals are considered endangered with dwindling wild populations. Zoo
officials have said one of the leading causes of death among adult male
gorillas is heart disease.

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