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The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens announced on Tuesday that a fourth primate has died from a Shigella outbreak. The latest death was Kevin, a 3-year-old Western lowland gorilla who was born in April 2021 and was a favorite among visitors.
The zoo said on social media that Kevin, being the youngest of his troop, was playful and often roughhoused with his family. He had a close bond with his half-sister Gandai, and they were frequently seen together.
Shigella is a bacteria that causes a disease called shigellosis, which affects the intestines. While humans can also get Shigella, it is particularly severe for apes because they struggle to fight it off.
On August 22, the zoo reported that a 35-year-old gorilla named Bulera had died from the disease. Four days later, two bonobos named Jumanji and Jenga also died from Shigella.
Shigella spreads easily through poop, food, or water. The zoo has put the primates in quarantine and made sure all staff use protective gear to stop the disease from spreading.
The zoo is still treating several apes, and their recovery is ongoing and might take some time.
