The San Diego Zoo announced the death of Maka, a 30-year-old Western lowland gorilla, just days after staff made the decision to compassionately euthanize some of its longest-tenured animals.

The San Diego Zoo was hit with another tough loss Tuesday, announcing the death of a 30-year-old Western lowland gorilla named Maka.

San Diego Zoo's beloved gorilla Maka dies at 30 The Western lowland gorilla was the third recent death of a high-profile animal at the world-famous San Diego Zoo.

Gorilla Maka, a gentle giant of the San Diego Zoo’s bachelor troop, dies unexpectedly at 30, leaving behind a legacy of grace and connection, zookeepers said.

The San Diego Zoo has announced the death of Maka, a 30-year-old Western lowland gorilla, just days after staff made the decision to compassionately euthanize some of its longest-tenured animals.