Faddama

A tapeworm infection claimed the life of a long‑standing resident of Zoo Basel on 30 March 2023. She was born there on 2 February 1983, the daughter of Quarta and Pepe, and never left the familiar surroundings of her birthplace. Over four decades, she watched generations of gorillas come and go, remaining a quiet fixture in the troop.

Her western lowland subspecies, Gorilla gorilla gorilla, is listed as Critically Endangered, underscoring how each captive animal contributes to the broader conservation picture. Though she never experienced a transfer, her steady presence offered keepers a reliable reference point for health and behavior monitoring.

At the time of her passing, she was 40 years old—a full lifespan for a gorilla in managed care. Her death reminded the community of the constant vigilance required to safeguard the health of these vulnerable great apes.