The Barcelona Zoo is in mourning after the loss of one of its most beloved members: Xebo, a western lowland gorilla who, at 39 years old, left an indelible mark on the institution and in the hearts of those who knew him.
His departure has highlighted the importance of the conservation of critically endangered species, such as western gorillas, and has generated reflections on the impact of human activity on their natural habitat.
Xebo arrived at Barcelona Zoo in 1996 from Rotterdam Zoo as part of the ex situ conservation program of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). Since then, he spent 27 years in the institution, becoming a symbol of the struggle for the preservation of his species.
During his time at the zoo, Xebo shared his life with several partners, his children and a granddaughter, demonstrating a welcoming, protective and playful nature that made him a leader among the gorillas in the enclosure.
Xebo dies at Barcelona Zoo
Xebo’s death has highlighted the critical situation in which the western gorilla species finds itself.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, these majestic primates are critically endangered due to the destruction of their natural habitat, poaching, illegal trafficking and human activity in general.
With fewer than 100,000 estimated in the wild, western gorillas face a battle for survival in a world increasingly dominated by human presence.
The role of zoos and ex situ conservation programs becomes crucial in this context. Institutions such as the Barcelona Zoo play a fundamental role in raising public awareness of the importance of the conservation of endangered species and in research aimed at protecting their natural habitat.
Participation in international programs, such as the EAZA EEP, allows zoos to actively contribute to the preservation of species such as western gorillas and to work in collaboration with other institutions to ensure their long-term survival.
Your legacy
Xebo’s death also invites us to reflect on our relationship with nature and the impact of our actions on the world we share with other species.
The loss of a gorilla like Xebo is not only a tragedy for the Barcelona Zoo, but also a reminder of our collective responsibility to preserve the biological diversity of our planet.
Each life lost is a wake-up call to the urgency of taking action to mitigate the effects of climate change and deforestation that threaten the survival of species around the world.
