Crime-busting gorilla dies in South African zoo
JOHANNESBURG (AFP) - A gorilla which became a national hero in South Africa after beating up a runaway thief who jumped into his cage in Johannesburg zoo, died, a statement said.
"The death of Max is a great loss to the zoo and he will be sorely missed," a statement published in the Johannesburg News said Wednesday.
It said the cause of death was still not clear.
Max was 33. Life expectancy for gorillas is up to 50 years in captivity, or 35 in the much tougher conditions of the wild.
Max hogged headlines in 1997 when he beat up a fleeing thief Isaac Mofokeng, becoming one of the top draws in Johannesburg's picturesque zoo and a national hero.
Max was wounded in a shootout between the police and Mofokeng but recovered after surgery.
JOHANNESBURG (AFP) - A gorilla which became a national hero in South Africa after beating up a runaway thief who jumped into his cage in Johannesburg zoo, died, a statement said.
"The death of Max is a great loss to the zoo and he will be sorely missed," a statement published in the Johannesburg News said Wednesday.
It said the cause of death was still not clear.
Max was 33. Life expectancy for gorillas is up to 50 years in captivity, or 35 in the much tougher conditions of the wild.
Max hogged headlines in 1997 when he beat up a fleeing thief Isaac Mofokeng, becoming one of the top draws in Johannesburg's picturesque zoo and a national hero.
Max was wounded in a shootout between the police and Mofokeng but recovered after surgery.
