The world's oldest gorilla in captivity has died at the age of 60

The world’s first gorilla to be born in a zoo and the oldest in captivity has died at the age of 60, it has been announced.

In a statement released yesterday, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium announced that Colo, who was believed to be the oldest gorilla in America, had died in her sleep.

Zoo president Tom Stalf said: ‘Colo touched the hearts of generations of people who came to see her and those that cared for her over her long lifetime.

‘She was an ambassador for gorillas and inspired people to learn more about the critically endangered species and motivated them to protect gorillas in their native habitat.’

She had still been on display for visitors only a day before her death, and was seen wandering around her enclosure wearing a yellow cap as visitors took advantage of free admission for Martin Luther King day.

Colo was born at the zoo on December 22 1956, and became a mother of three, grandmother of 16, great-grandmother of 12 and great-great-grandmother of three.

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Her life span far exceeded that of average female gorillas, who have a life expectancy of 37.5 years.

In recent months, vets had removed a malignant tumour from Colo, but the zoo said that her recovery was on track – and it is yet to be confirmed whether the cancer contributed to her death.

She will now be cremated before her ashes are spread in an undisclosed area of the zoo.