Sim Sim, Busch Gardens' Oldest Male Gorilla, Dies

TAMPA, FL — Busch Gardens Tampa Bay announced Tuesday that Sim Sim, the oldest male gorilla at the theme park, has died at the age of 33.

"We are saddened to share the passing of Sim Sim, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s oldest male gorilla," wrote Busch Gardens on its Facebook page. "Sim Sim has lived at the park since 1992, receiving world-class care from our team. He will be greatly missed by our ambassadors and guests alike.⁣⁣We thank you all for your continued support of Busch Gardens and our commitment to conservation."

Sim Sim was born on Jan. 25, 1986, at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center at Emory University in Atlanta, where he lived until he came to Busch Gardens in 1992.

Busch Gardens did not elaborate on the cause of the gorilla's death.