Gorilla, Born in 1972 at Central Park Zoo, Dies

The first gorilla born in New York City died on the evening of March 31, at 40 years old.
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Gorilla, Born in 1972 at Central Park Zoo, Dies
Pattycake, a gorilla living at the Bronx Zoo, died on March 31. (Julie Larsen Maher/Wildlife Conservation Society)
Zachary Stieber
4/1/2013
Updated:
7/18/2015

NEW YORK—The first gorilla born in New York City died on the evening of March 31, at 40 years old.

Pattycake was born at the Central Park Zoo in 1972, shifting to the Bronx Zoo in 1983. Her fame includes having two books published about her.

 “Pattycake was perhaps the best known gorilla at the Bronx Zoo, and an institution in New York City,” said Jim Breheny, director of the Bronx Zoo, in a statement. “Millions of children in New York City grew up with Pattycake at the Bronx Zoo. Pattycake was a very special animal and her presence will be deeply missed.”

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Out of 338 gorillas in North American zoos right now, Pattycake was the 31st oldest. She had 10 infants, including two twins, which have been spread to zoos across the country, including ones in Omaha, Utah, and Boston.