Silverback gorilla
IN PHOTO: An endangered silverback mountain gorilla from the Nyakamwe-Bihango family yawns within the forest in Virunga national park near Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, May 3, 2014. The world's remaining about 720 wild mountain gorillas live along the volcanic range straddling the Rwandan, Congolese and Ugandan borders. Reuters/Kenny Katombe

Melbourne Zoo’s female gorilla was attacked by another member of the troop and zoo officials believe that the attack was a result of an “unprecedented” aggression, 9News Australia reports. Julie, the 33-year-old gorilla sustained injuries from an attack made by a young male, Otana, which killed her eventually.

Reports say that a Zoos Victoria spokesperson said that Silverback gorillas normally show their dominant side as characteristic of their behaviour. However, the statement from the spokesperson said that the aggression Otana presented towards the female gorilla was unexpected.

Zoo staff has already observed Otana’s aggressive behaviour targeted towards Julia last Friday. Reports say that Julia separated herself form the troop that night to spend time sleeping alone in the heated caves.

Attending vets did not notice any wounds on Julia but had to take her to a veterinary hospital the following day because Julia was seen to be unwell, according to sources. The vets battled hard just to stabilise Julie; however, she died on Sunday at 3am.

The Herald Sun reports that children have witnessed the gorilla attack. According to the news report, Belinda Carroll, a mother with her 5-year-old daughter, Bella, together with 18 prep students from Altona Green Primary School, went to see the gorilla enclosure at 9:20am and saw the attack. Carroll said that the kids were excited but they cried and were in shock when they witnessed Julia being attacked.

Otana joined Melbourne Zoo’s gorillas in 2013 and had been displaying aggressive behaviour. Though his aggression is not usually severe, it had been seen as “intermittent” according to 9News Australia report. When Julia died, zookeepers started focusing on helping the other gorillas to pass through this tragic state that could have an effect on the “social structure of the group”.

The zoo spokesperson said that the zoo officials were devastated and are now going through a tough time following Julia’s death. “Primate Keepers have been offered counselling to help them through this difficult time,” the spokesperson said.

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