Specialists from the School of Veterinary Medicine of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) detected several points of myocardial fibrosis and atrophy of muscle tissue in Bantú the gorilla’s heart.
“The findings are consistent with fibrosing cardiomyopathy, a chronic heart disorder that is common to gorillas living in captivity,” said the School of Veterinary Medicine. “The cause of the disease is unknown.”
The UNAM specialists did histopathologic studies on Bantú, using fragments from several of his organs, at the request of Mexico City government.
The silverback gorilla died on July 6, after being sedated in preparation for a trip to Guadalajara.
In July, the School of Veterinary Medicine received pieces of Bantú’s brain, heart, liver, intestine, spleen, kidney, testicles, lungs and pancreas.
The School of Veterinary Medicine expressed its regret for Bantú’s death and its support for public policies based on science for maintaining animals in captivity.