Happy 53rd Birthday, Taro! The Oldest Silverback Gorilla in Japan

JMC 20260420 💬 (TBA) JMC released an update on Taro's health condition and treatment plan. The summary in English is as follows: “Taro, a 52-year-old male western lowland gorilla and the oldest male in Japan, remains generally in good condition despite age-related changes. In recent years, swelling around his testicles has raised concerns about a possible tumor. However, due to the high risks of anesthesia for a gorilla of his age and the possibility of metastasis, the zoo has decided against surgical treatment and is instead managing his condition with medication. He is currently under observation, including treatment for minor wounds, and there is a possibility that his condition may change suddenly or that public viewing may be suspended. The zoo’s care policy is to minimize his discomfort and maintain his quality of life as much as possible.” (Source: https://www.j-monkey.jp/news/20260316...) Taro's background history Part 1 (He was born in Germany.)▶︎    • Taro 50 yrs old silverback gorilla has the...   Taro's background history Part 2 (He lived with Hanako.)▶︎    • Hanako was Taro's long-time girlfriend. #2...   About Western Lowland Gorilla Gorilla gorilla gorilla Habitat: The most widespread gorilla subspecies and can be found across more than 700,000 km² of central and West Africa. Lifespan: 35 yrs in the wild (to 60 yrs in captivity) IUCN Red List : Critically Endangered It is the smallest of the four gorilla subspecies, which also include the Cross River gorillas, Grauer’s gorillas, and mountain gorillas. It has shorter black-brown hair, longer arms, and a more prominent ridge along its brow. The adult males called silverbacks have silvery-grey hair on their backs and thighs. Their heads are large and pointed, with a sagittal crest forming the top of the head. Its population has been decreasing due to poaching and disease. The estimated population in 2013 was almost 362,000 individuals (IUCNredlist.org). Fewer than 150,000 western lowland gorillas remain in the wild (gorillas.org). TARO ♂ DOB: 1973/04/20 POB: Nuremberg Zoo, Germany Sire: Fritz Dam: Delphi Hand-reared No offspring Siblings: Lomela (dead), Toni (Kyiv Zoo), Willy (dead), Wilma (dead; she left 6 offspring) Half sibling: Schorsch (dead) In November 1975, he was transferred to Dublin Zoo, Ireland (age 2). In May 1986, he was transferred to Longleat Safari Park, England (age 13). In November 1986, he was transferred to Edinburgh Zoo, Scotland (age 13). In April 1989, he was transferred to JMC, Japan (age 16). He weighed 134kg. He had habits of coprophagy and R/R. In June 1989, he started living with Hanako (female est age 20), and he had lived with her for about 20 years. They didn't mate. On February 25, 2009, Hanako passed away. Taro was 35 years old. He's been kept solitary since then. On February 1, 2026, he weighed 170kg. References Wilms T.M., et al. 2015. International studbook for the western lowland gorilla Gorilla g. Gorilla Savage & Wyman, 1847 JMC Magazine 'Monkey No.224' https://www.j-monkey.jp/lng/en/ https://shigen.nig.ac.jp/gain/top.jsp https://www.gorillasland.com/ #WildlifeConservation #ZoosForConservation #JapanMonkeyCenter 日本モンキーセンター ゴリラ タロウ