JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Bulera, a 35-year-old female western lowland gorilla at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, has died, the zoo announced Thursday.
Bulera died due to a bacterial infection called Shigella, according to a Facebook post by the zoo.
Bulera was born at the Lincoln Park Zoo, where she was hand-raised by people due to needing medical treatment. She moved to Jacksonville in 2009 along with her sister, Madini.
She had a son named George in 2015 and became a foster mother to a gorilla named Gandai in 2019. "She protected and nurtured Gandai, allowing her to rejoin the troop after five months of round-the-clock care by humans. Bulera even brought Gandai to Care Specialists for bottle feedings," the zoo wrote in a Facebook post.
The Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens says Shigella is highly contagious and other apes have shown symptoms, at "different stages of treatment and recovery."
"Our Animal Care and Health teams have been tirelessly caring for them, using PPE and regular sanitization to prevent further spread. Additionally, there is a dedicated team providing care to apes that are sick and a separate team providing care to apes that have not exhibited any symptoms," they wrote on Facebook.
The zoo staff is asking for "thoughts, love and support" in this difficult time.