The western lowland gorilla became a fan favorite after his glaucoma battle aired on Animal Planet
Bronx Zoo
NEED TO KNOW
- Ntondo, a blind western lowland gorilla, died at 32
- He was featured on Animal Planet’s docuseries The Zoo in 2017
- Zoo staff say he was deeply bonded to his caregivers
The Bronx Zoo is mourning the loss of one of its most recognizable residents.
Ntondo, a male western lowland gorilla who became widely known after appearing in Animal Planet's docuseries, The Zoo, died on Sunday of an acute cardiac event, the New York City zoo announced on Tuesday, Feb. 17. He was 32.
According to the press release, the silverback had lived at the Bronx Zoo for a little over a decade, arriving in 2014 from the Calgary Zoo as part of a breeding program through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums aimed at maintaining a healthy gorilla population in accredited facilities.
Animal Planet
Born Feb. 28, 1993, in Canada, Ntondo later became the focus of the 2017 premiere episode of The Zoo, which documented his glaucoma diagnosis and the difficult decision to attempt surgery to preserve his vision.
The series offered an intimate look at how animal care staff first realized the gorilla was losing his eyesight and followed his recovery inside the zoo’s Congo Gorilla Forest habitat. Though the operation was ultimately unsuccessful and Ntondo went blind, he adapted — and continued to lead a troop of females.
Despite his blindness, Ntondo “remained patient, confident and able to navigate complex social situations with the assuredness of an experienced silverback,” the zoo said in a statement.
Animal Planet
His condition required close, ongoing attention from keepers, deepening his connection with the team.
“Because of his blindness, Ntondo was uniquely bonded to the animal care staff,” the zoo shared. “He was an amazing animal and will be missed by all.”
As explained by the zoo, western lowland gorillas in human care typically live into their 30s and 40s, while those in the wild often face shorter lifespans due to habitat loss, poaching and disease.
The Bronx Zoo, one of the largest in the United States and operated by the Wildlife Conservation Society, has housed roughly 53 gorillas since 1972 and is currently home to 12.
For many visitors — and viewers who first met him on television — Ntondo became more than a zoo resident. He was a symbol of resilience, adapting to life without sight while maintaining his place as a steady, watchful leader.
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