Gorilla euthanized at zoo

SAN DIEGO — CBS8.com reports that the first gorilla born at the San Diego Zoo was euthanized Sept. 30 at the age of 45.
Zoo spokeswoman Christina Simmons said Alvila was euthanized because medication was no longer controlling her pain from arthritis and back problems.
Alvila was born at the zoo on June 3, 1965, to parents captured in Africa. She and her late mate, Memba, had four offspring and she also adopted a baby gorilla that was abandoned by its mother.
Simmons said that other gorillas had been bringing food to Alvila in recent weeks and that the 10 remaining gorillas, including Alvila’s mother, were allowed to see and sniff her body so they would know she had died.