Disney’s Animal Kingdom might be part zoo and part theme park, but behind the scenes, Disney has a long history of doing its best to help ensure the survival of endangered species, as well as introduce those species to us, the humans, in a way that we can understand them better.

©Disney

Well, for those who have visited Animal Kingdom and have been blessed enough to see Gino, the oldest gorilla at the park, we have some sad news. Gino the gorilla has passed away. 

Disney World recently shared that Gino the Gorilla, who was the oldest gorilla in the park at 44 years old, has sadly passed away. Gino spent 30 years at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, where the western lowland gorilla touched the lives of visitors with what Dr. Mark Penning calls the “his playful spirit, gentle humor, and steady presence as a devoted father and troop leader.”

©Disney

Gino leaves behind quite the legacy, though. He’s the father of 14 offspring, not to mention creating lasting memories of every Cast Member he met, as well as every Disney World visitor who saw him. Dr. Mark Penning also shared a video all about Gino, in which Cast Members describe him as goofy, playful, iconic, handsome, and more. Check the video out below:

Disney Legend Joe Rohde also honored Gino by calling him a “true alpha male” as well as “powerful, gentle, humorous, kind, a patient partner to his minders, a great father, and a great model for the young males in his life.” Gino had a good, long life at 44 years, especially when most silverback gorillas generally live from 35 to 40 years in the wild.

Goodbye, Gino, you will be missed.

Stay tuned to DFB for more.

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Have you ever seen Gino in Animal Kingdom? Share your memories in the comments.