Colo (gorilla)

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For other uses, see Colo.

Colo is famous for being the first gorilla born in captivity anywhere in the world. She was born on December 22, 1956, at the Columbus Zoo to Millie Christina (mother/dam) and Baron Macombo (father/sire). She was briefly called "Cuddles" before a contest was held to officially name her. Colo's name is derived from the place of her birth--COLumbus, Ohio. She has resided at the Columbus Zoo longer than any other animal in the zoo's collection. Colo and her progeny, five of which still reside at the Columbus Zoo, comprise almost one-third of Columbus Zoo's current gorilla collection (as of the beginning of 2007). Colo just celebrated her 50th birthday (December 22, 2006)--she is currently the third oldest living gorilla in captivity.

[edit] Genealogy

Listed in order of birth (within generation) Children (2nd generation):

Emmy (1968-1982)
Oscar (1969-1993)
Toni (1971- )

Grandchildren (3rd generation):

Cora (1979- )
Kahn (1980-1980)
Roscoe (1980-1981)
O.J. (1981- )
Zura (1981- )
Lang (1982-1983)
Macombo II (Mac*) (1983- )
Mosuba (1983- )
Motuba (1985- )
Mwelu (1986- )
Colebridge (1987-1994)
Jungle Jack (1987- )
Norman (1988-1988)
Jumoke* (1989- )
Nkosi (gorilla) (1991- )
Cassie* (1993- )

Great-gandchildren (4rd generation):

Timu (1995- )
Jontu (1997- )
Muchana (2000- )
Dotty* (2004- )

Great-grandchildren (5th generation):

Bambio (2003- )
Baina (2005- )

[edit] Story of the toy keys

Colo once came into the possession of a child's ring of plastic keys while she was in the outdoor gorilla exhibit. When Colo was offered a treat in trade for the set of keys she was unwilling to accept the keeper's terms. Instead she broke the ring holding the keys and then traded each key individually for a treat--getting many more treats than the keeper had planned to give!