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For now, “we’re at a good balance,” he said. That is not entirely a medical issue, but reflects Winston’s ability to lead his troop — including a female, Kami, with whom he has had “a very devout partnership” for 25 years, Mr. Haigwood said.
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Some aspects of healthy aging might come more easily for zoo primates than for people; their keepers provide only healthy choices. “They’re not smoking,” said Marietta Danforth, the director of the Great Ape Heart Project, a research effort at the Detroit Zoo. “They’re not eating cheeseburgers.”
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Winston’s vegetarian diet consists primarily of tree branches and root vegetables. The half-acre Gorilla Forest where he lives, with its hills and pond and climbing structures, promotes exercise.
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Still, geriatric care necessarily involves end-of-life decisions. Winston could die a natural death one day like Ozzie, a gorilla who died at Zoo Atlanta two years ago at 61, or Colo, who was 60 when she died at the Columbus Zoo in Ohio in 2017.
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But if his quality of life declines, if he stops interacting with the troop and his caregivers or begins suffering, parallels with human care end. Even in California, with its medical aid in dying law, euthanasia remains illegal for humans. It is an option for Winston.
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“It’s a privilege in veterinary medicine,” Dr. Kinney said. “It also comes with great responsibility.”
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If Winston’s doctors, specialists and caregivers conclude, after extensive discussion, that a painless death would be preferable to a diminished life, “it’s a very calm process,” Dr. Kinney said. After an overdose of anesthesia, he said, “within minutes, there is cardiopulmonary arrest.”
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About 350 gorillas — and 930 great apes in total, including bonobos, orangutans and chimpanzees — live in U.S. zoos, Dr. Danforth said. However well cared for they are, some animal rights activists and primatologists argue that they don’t belong in zoos.
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But even People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, whose position is that wild animals belong in the wild, acknowledged in an email that zoos like San Diego’s, accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, meet high standards of animal care.
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Winston “has had high-quality years,” Dr. Kinney said. The gorilla has also become a beloved media personality. San Diego will mourn his loss, whenever and however it happens.
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For now, “we want to be sure Winston is living a good life, that he’s fulfilled,” Dr. Kinney said. “We have a good understanding of what makes Winston Winston.”
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