news-record.com

ASHEBORO — Donna, a 42-year-old female gorilla, was euthanized at the North Carolina Zoo on Monday after undergoing more than 2 1/2 years of treatments for cancer.

Donna suffered a relapse after the reappearance of cancerous tumors in her abdomen, according to a news release from the zoo. The gorilla underwent surgery two years ago for cancer in her uterus and ovaries.

But the growth had reappeared and increased significantly in size in recent months. After a physical examination on Monday, zoo veterinarians and animal staff determined that Donna’s condition was untreatable and that her quality of life would continue to deteriorate.

Born in 1968, Donna was transferred to the N.C. Zoo in November 1990 from the Como Zoo in St. Paul, Minn.

A second female gorilla at the zoo, Katie, 36, is currently also undergoing treatment for an abdominal tumor. Her prognosis is guarded.

The zoo’s 18-year-old male gorilla, Nikosi, remains on exhibit and in good health. Two young female gorillas are scheduled to be transferred to the N.C. Zoo during the first half of 2010 from the San Diego Zoo and Oklahoma City Zoo. Those transfers are not related to the medical problems with Donna and Katie.