A female gorilla at Melbourne Zoo has died from injuries caused by one of the zoo's young male gorillas in an unexpected display of aggression.

Julia, a 33-year-old gorilla, died on Sunday after suffering extensive trauma from the attack on Friday, the zoo said in a statement.

Gorilla Julia has died after an attack by a male gorilla in the Melbourne Zoo enclosure. Credit:Pat Scala

Otana, a 13-year-old silverback male had previously shown some aggression towards female gorillas but zoo staff said the social dynamic between the gorillas had appeared to be working well.