The Toronto Zoo says Charles, its beloved 52-year-old gorilla, has died

The Toronto Zoo says it is honoring the life of Charles, a 52-year-old silverback gorilla who died on Tuesday.

Karol died of natural causes after experiencing serious health problems that had recently appeared.

“Charles has been a respected member of the Toronto Zoo family since opening day in 1974 and has warmed the hearts of our community for 50 years,” the zoo said in a news release.

“He will be greatly missed, and his memory will continue to inspire those who knew him to continue the fight against extinction of this incredible, critically endangered species.”

Last week, the 52-year-old gorilla was diagnosed with heart failure and put on medication after staff noticed Charles was acting unusually.

“Over the weekend, Charles regained his strength, his appetite returned and his interaction with care staff improved,” the zoo continued. “(Tuesday) morning Charles was cheerful and sat eating, but in the afternoon his condition suddenly and rapidly deteriorated.”

The zoo said Charles had a “real presence” that left a lasting impact on everyone around him as he transformed from a “playful young man into a caring and wise leader.”

“I am very proud of the work our team did to ensure his comfort during his final days with us,” said Dolf DeJong, CEO of the Toronto Zoo. “Charles was more than an icon; he was a member of our zoo family and a powerful ambassador for his species. To commemorate his life, our flags will fly at half-mast.”

Silverback gorillas are known for their intelligence and social behavior. They often show bonds with family members. Despite their impressive size – a maximum of 485 pounds – they are generally considered gentle and shy creatures.

Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect silverback gorillas and their habitats, which are threatened by poaching and habitat destruction.