Evans added Samantha was on heart medications that could not keep up with her advancing condition. He said the gorilla did not appear to be suffering as much as simply losing energy.
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Samantha was born at the zoo 50 years ago and had exceeded her life expectancy for her species by more than a decade. Popular with visitors, Evans called Samantha an "inspirational individual."
Evans said the gorilla team's attentions have now shifted fully to Samantha's foster daughter, Elle, who is doing well with her father, Jomo, and her sister,