RIP Polo, India’s only Gorilla in Mysore Zoo

Today I was saddened reading the death of Polo, South Asia’s only gorilla at Mysore Zoo, Karnataka. He was 43! The normal life span of gorillas is 35, but Polo outlived that. Born in 1972, he was received from Dublin Zoo, Ireland, on August 8, 1995. Unfortunately he never got a mate in the zoo.

Gorilla in Mysore Zoo dies at 43

Earlier, a pair of gorillas, “Sugreeva and Sumathi” was the star attractions of the Mysore zoo. Sugreeva, the male gorilla, died within one year of being brought to the zoo. From then on, Sumathi lived a solitary life for more than 16 years.

The zoo authorities corresponded with the authorities of the world’s leading zoos, seeking a male gorilla. In 1992, Bobo, a male gorilla, was brought from Tel Aviv in Israel. However, Bobo became diabetic and its forehand was amputated due to gangrene. Subsequently, it died. After four years, the zoo received Polo. Sumathi, who had aged considerably, died in 2001, due to cardiac arrest.

Gorilla in Mysore Zoo

You can read about his ailments here: Polo, South Asia’s only gorilla, dies at Mysore zoo. Interesting to note that he took instructions both in English and Kannada but when it came to following a command he was adamant on taking them from the old guards. Do you think he believed in seniority? I am amused he was not quite friendly with the new ones and did not follow their commands. During my last visit there I got some captures of him, he looked sad and lonely!

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