Fatou Turns 69, Marking Milestone at Berlin Zoo

Fatou, widely recognised as the oldest gorilla in captivity, has celebrated her 69th birthday at Berlin Zoo with a special feast and international recognition.

The beloved primate marked the occasion on Monday with a spread of vegetables prepared by her caretakers, while Guinness World Records acknowledged her remarkable longevity. Zoo officials say that in human terms, Fatou would be more than a century old.

A longtime resident of the Berlin Zoo, Fatou has lived there for over 60 years, during which she has become both a mother and grandmother. She is known among visitors and staff for her calm presence and “dignified manner,” according to zoo spokesperson Philine Hachmeister.

Fatou’s life story has become the subject of legend. She is believed to have been brought from Africa to Europe in the late 1950s by a sailor, who reportedly exchanged her to settle a bar tab—an unusual beginning to what would become a record-setting life.

Today, Fatou remains a cherished figure at the zoo, continuing to captivate visitors as a symbol of longevity and resilience in the animal world.