Gorilla Matadi (20), "the caring leader of the group", dies unexpectedly at Antwerp Zoo

Antwerp Zoo is in mourning today after the unexpected death of the zoo’s 20-year-old silverback gorilla Matadi. According to the zoo, Matadi had a very caring character. He was also the leader of the group of gorillas that live at the zoo. Matadi suffered a double respiratory infection, COVID-19 and the bacterial infection Bordetella.

Like the female gorillas in the group, Matadi had had a cold for some time. He was sniffling, coughing regularly and was short of breath. Although the female gorillas recovered quickly, Matadi continued to feel ill and he stopped eating. Vet Jonas Spruyt then decided to intervene. Dr Spruyt told VRT News that “During his treatment Matadi sought contact and was not aggressive. He sat next to me, about a meter away, while most animals would have run away.”

Despite the treatment he had received, Matadi's health suddenly deteriorated rapidly. He received heart massages and several attempts were made to resuscitate him. Dr Spruyt was assisted in his efforts to save the gorilla by colleagues from Ghent University. However, efforts to save Matadi were in vein and he passed away.

The gorillas at the zoo, including his daughters Thandie and Vizazi, were given the chance to say goodbye to Matadi, who the zoo says was caring and sweet dad. 

The great ape expert Sarah Lafaut told VRT News that "It is important that they can see that he has died. This way they make a link with the death and do not go looking for him afterwards”. Today his body will be transferred to Ghent University’s School of Veterinary Medicine for an autopsy and scientific research on his shoulder and arm muscles.

Ms Lafaut went on to explain that "In a normal gorilla group you have one adult male, the silverback, with a number of adult females and their offspring. In nature, if a leader dies, another adult male takes over the group. There is a very good chance that he will take over the offspring. There is a big chance that he will kill the offspring so that the females become fertile faster. This is why we will not be bringing in a new male, but will wait to see which of the three females will take over the leadership of the group.”

"It is always hard when we lose an animal, but a great ape is a little different because they look a lot like us. The keepers will need time to process this. Of course, they still have the other gorillas to look after and they will of course continue to do their best for them".

One keeper at the zoo spoke of their fond memories of Matadi. “I will never forget the image of Matadi playing with his daughters”.