ABU DHABI // Lady the gorilla, Al Ain Zoo’s oldest mammal, celebrated her 40th birthday on Thursday.

To mark the milestone, the zoo sent out invitations to people, offering the opportunity to learn about Lady’s life story, have photos taken with her, and enjoy a piece of birthday cake.

“The turnout is good,” said Rashad Al Qamzi, coordinator of carnivores and primates at Al Ain Zoo. “Everybody is happy, Lady is happy.”

Lady is a western lowlands gorilla, a species described by the World Wildlife Fund as critically endangered.

Wild populations have declined by more than 60 per cent over the past 20 to 25 years because of poaching and disease.

She was brought to the UAE from Cameroon in 1978, when she was four years old, and has lived alone since 1998 when her male companion, Maxi, died from natural causes.

Loneliness has been an issue, because gorillas in the wild typically live in social groups, Mr Al Qamzi said.

Zookeepers have given her a television to watch, and introduced her to new companions, two domestic rabbits.

“The rabbits were a good idea, and they have really bonded,” he said.

On TV, he said Lady enjoys watching Barney, the children’s show about a large purple dinosaur, as well as documentaries about other types of animals.

Mr Al Qamzi said a typical lifespan for a western lowland gorilla was roughly 40 years when held in captivity, indicating that Lady is having a pretty good go at life.

She has a diverse diet, tailored to her nutritional needs and her specific tastes, which includes fruits, vegetables, boiled chicken and eggs.

“A purpose and goal of the birthday party is to make people understand and know that the Al Ain Zoo cares for endangered species,” he said. “We also want to make the public and visitors understand and appreciate the care we take of the animals.

“This is the message we are sending out today.”

Al Ain Zoo, home to about 3,700 animals, celebrated its 45th anniversary in 2013.

esamoglou@thenational.ae