Fatou, world's oldest gorilla in a zoo, is celebrating her 68th birthday in Berlin

ABC News - Apr 11th, 2025
Open on ABC News

Fatou, the world's oldest gorilla living in captivity, is preparing to celebrate her 68th birthday at the Berlin Zoo. Born in 1957 and arriving in Berlin in 1959, Fatou is a cherished resident of the zoo. To mark this milestone, the zoo presented her with a basket of soft fruits and vegetables, considering her dietary needs due to her lack of teeth. Fatou lives in her own enclosure, apart from the younger and more energetic gorillas, ranging from 4 to 39 years old, allowing her the peace and care she deserves in her senior years. Her dedicated veterinarian, André Schüle, assures that Fatou receives the best possible care, underscoring the zoo's commitment to her well-being.

Fatou's birthday celebration not only highlights her longevity but also marks a poignant moment for the Berlin Zoo, which recently lost its previous oldest resident, Ingo the flamingo, at an estimated age of 75. Fatou's continued health and care are a testament to the zoo's ability to support aging animals, reflecting broader themes of animal welfare and conservation in captivity. Her story resonates with zoo visitors and animal lovers worldwide, serving as a reminder of the longevity and resilience of wildlife under human care, as well as the importance of tailored care for aging animals in captivity.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article about Fatou, the world's oldest captive gorilla, provides a heartwarming and informative narrative that aligns well with its intended purpose of celebrating a unique milestone. The story is largely accurate and clear, with a focus on the care and attention given to Fatou by the Berlin Zoo. However, it could benefit from additional verification of certain claims, such as her status as the oldest gorilla in captivity and the specifics of her dietary and living arrangements.

While the article is well-written and engaging, it lacks depth in terms of balance and transparency, relying heavily on zoo sources without incorporating independent viewpoints or broader context. This limits the story's potential impact and public interest, as it does not delve into wider discussions on animal welfare or conservation. Enhancing the article with diverse perspectives and addressing potential ethical concerns could improve its overall quality and relevance.

Overall, the article succeeds in capturing attention and providing a feel-good story, but it could be strengthened by incorporating more comprehensive and diverse insights into the life and care of aging animals in captivity.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story about Fatou, the oldest gorilla in captivity, is largely accurate but requires verification on a few key points. The age of Fatou, stated as 68, aligns with her birth year of 1957, making this claim accurate. Additionally, the detail about her living in the Berlin Zoo since 1959 is consistent with historical records. However, the claim about her being the oldest gorilla in captivity needs verification against current records to ensure no other gorillas surpass her age.

The article accurately describes Fatou's dietary needs, noting that she no longer has teeth and requires soft food, which is a reasonable assumption given her advanced age. The story's mention of her living separately from other gorillas is plausible, yet it would benefit from specific verification regarding the zoo's current arrangements. Furthermore, the narrative about Fatou becoming the zoo's oldest resident after Ingo the flamingo's death is consistent with the zoo's historical context but requires confirmation of Ingo's exact age at death.

7
Balance

The article provides a balanced perspective on Fatou's life and care, focusing primarily on her well-being and the zoo's efforts to accommodate her needs. It presents a positive portrayal of the zoo's treatment of Fatou, emphasizing the care provided by the staff, which could be seen as favorable to the zoo.

However, the article lacks alternative viewpoints or critiques about the conditions of captivity for aging animals, which could provide a more rounded perspective. Including perspectives from animal rights organizations or experts on geriatric animal care could enhance the balance of the story.

8
Clarity

The article is clear and concise, effectively conveying the main points about Fatou's life and care. It uses straightforward language that is accessible to a general audience, avoiding technical jargon that could hinder comprehension.

The structure is logical, with a coherent flow from Fatou's history to her current living conditions. The tone is neutral and factual, which aids in maintaining reader engagement without unnecessary embellishment. However, the article could benefit from more detailed descriptions to enhance the reader's understanding of Fatou's daily life and care.

6
Source quality

The article relies heavily on statements from the Berlin Zoo and its veterinarian, André Schüle, who are authoritative sources on Fatou's care. However, the absence of independent sources or corroborating expert opinions limits the depth of the reporting.

The reliance on a single institution for information can introduce bias, as the zoo has an interest in presenting itself positively. Including independent experts in animal care or conservation could strengthen the article's credibility by providing additional context and verification.

5
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of methodology and sourcing, as it does not specify how the information was obtained or whether any independent verification was conducted. The narrative relies on statements from zoo staff without indicating if these were direct quotes or paraphrased.

Additionally, the article does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest, such as the zoo's interest in promoting its care practices. More explicit acknowledgment of these factors and a clearer explanation of how the information was gathered would improve transparency.

Sources

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatou_(gorilla)
  2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDksjP4u10A
  3. https://kids.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2024/5/a-day-in-the-life-of-the-worlds-oldest-gorilla-fatou-768835
  4. https://news.sky.com/video/fatou-the-gorilla-celebrates-her-67th-birthday-in-berlin-zoo-13113624
  5. https://a-z-animals.com/animals/how-old-is-the-oldest-gorilla-ever/