New York First Born Gorilla Pattycake Dies at 40

Pattycake, the first gorilla born in New York City, died at the age of 40 at the Wildlife Conservation Society. She suffered from chronic cardiac problems, reports The Associated Press.

The Wildlife Conservation Society announced the news of Pattycake's demise in a news release. According to WCS authorities, a necropsy was conducted in the hopes of getting more results. Due to her advanced age, Pattycake was under continuous medical care and was being treated for chronic heart disease.

Pattycake was deemed as one of the best gorillas at the Bronx Zoo.

"Millions of children in New York City grew up with Pattycake at the Bronx Zoo. Pattycake was a very special animal and her presence will be deeply missed," said Jim Breheny, Director of the Bronx Zoo and WCS Executive Vice President and General Director of Zoos & Aquarium, in a press statement.

Pattycake was born Sept. 3, 1972, at the Central Park Zoo. She was born to parents Kongo and Lulu. At the age of 5, she captured the attention of media as she sustained a broken arm. After that injury, she was transferred to the Bronx Zoo where she was raised.

Two books have been published about Pattycake: "Gorilla Baby: The story of Pattycake" and "Gentle Gorilla: The Story of Pattycake".

There are a total of 338 gorillas currently residing in North American zoos, and Pattycake was the 31st oldest gorilla. Patty cake gave birth to 10 infants at the Bronx Zoo who are currently placed in Buffalo, N.Y., and Utah, reports The Associated Press.