Jomo, the beloved Western lowland silverback gorilla at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, passed away yesterday. Since being diagnosed with a degenerative, incurable spinal cord condition in 2019, he has had mobility issues and some close calls. This is a huge loss to the Cincinnati Zoo and his care team.
Jomo has captured the hearts of countless people over the years, including my own. It has been a great honor that I have been able to spend 14 years with the best silverback around. From the first day I spent with him until the last, Jomo had taught me so much about gorillas but also life. He will forever inspire me as I remember him as a great leader for his family and a magnificent ambassador for his species.
Jomo was the epitome of a silverback and took his duties very seriously and with such charisma. Jomo lead his troop unwaveringly through his time at the Cincinnati Zoo. I was able to witness him become a biological dad for the 2nd and 3rd time of his life and a first-time adoptive dad. It was amazing to watch him interact with his kids and be the best dad for them. He was low-key obsessed with them and the sentiment was clearly exchanged. Jomo was often seen with an “all business” demeanor. But there was a softer side that he allowed those closest to him to see. His kids saw it every day and showed such great respect for him.
When I first started caring for Jomo I learned quickly that “This was Jomo’s World and we’re all just living in it.” And that was fine with all of his keepers 🙂 We shared the same respect for him that his kids shared. But, slowly and I mean slowly.. Jomo and I grew a bond that I will always cherish. I will miss the side-eyes that he gave as a subtle way to keep the kids in line.
I will miss his happy gorilla grumbles. I will miss all of our training sessions and witnessing how incredibly smart he was. You were such a good boy.
The last few years of his life as his health started to decline, I cherished our bond even more. And I can’t begin to explain how grateful I am for each gorilla caregiver, veterinarian/vet tech, as well as a slew of other experts that helped give him the best possible care. You are all my heroes. Thank you.
His legacy will live on through his kids, all of the things that he taught the gorillas, and the people that got to spend time with him. Myself included. Jomo, thanks for allowing me to be a part of your life. It has been my honor.
Nest easy handsome man. 🖤
Ashley Ashcraft
Team Lead – Primate Center
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
Wonderful tribute to Jomo! Bless you and all his caretakers as you grieve his loss! Obviously he received wonderful care and love❤️
Such a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to beautiful Jomo. It was perfectly said in every way. ❤
I’m so sorry to know that beautiful Gorilla JOMO has passed away. But I’m glad that JOMO has left a his imprint on your hearts. I had the distinct honor of helping save the Gorillas in the Virunga National Park in Africa some years ago, I love Gorillas, I became so involved in everything that surrounded them. I was always in fear for their lives. So I can only imagine how close you became with JOMO. Every life our Lord has given us is a true miracle of love,that especially includes all of His Creatures. We can learn so much from each one.
Thank you for sharing this story with us, although I never got to meet JOMO, I’m so grateful that you shared the story of his life and his character. I am very saddened at JOMO’S passing, but glad that his children are alive to carry on his legacy.
Ashley, keep those memories always near to your heart. What a huge blessing to be near such a magnificent Gorilla! Especially JOMO, he was very intelligent wise.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for all the caretaker who given a love these precious ❤ Jomo
You are An Angel ..love from Singapore
I will miss seeing him at the Zoo. That was the first place I would go. To see Jomo. My grand daughter loved him so.
My heart goes out to all of Jomo’s caretakers. I had such a special interest and bond with Jomo as we had the same spinal disease. It was like he knew through the glass window I too was suffering like him. He would come right up to the window with just the glass between us to greet me. I will miss u big guy. RIP.
So sweet!! Where can we read/see stories of Jomo?! ♥️♥️♥️
This tribute brought tears to my eyes. All species of animals are amazing! We are so fortunate to have such beautiful opportunities to share our lives with them. I respect all the people that are involved directly with them and for all the caregivers that took care of jomo. You are heroes for making a difference in their lives.
I’m so sorry to all of his caretakers. We loved him, and could tell he loved his troop. The little girls, especially Elle and Mona, we so fun to watch with him. They could get away with a lot because he loved them. I saw Elle more than once steal his blanket. You will never be forgotten, big guy.
Beautiful tribute, Ashley. Cannot imagine Gorilla World without Jomo.
You were so blessed to have cared for such a beautiful Silver Back…Jomo. I’m sure he loved you. He will be missed dearly.
I love your beautiful tribute to Jomo —they, just like humans, have their own personalities —I saw him last fall and he was so stately, seemed very wise but gentle —I’m impressed with the staff at Ciinncinatti Zoo and how the animals are well treated and loved —I thank you and all others there who give so much —God bless you and everyone and bring you all comfort at this time —love, hugs and prayers
My heart is breaking for all that loved and cared for him. I wrote on another post about the time I spoke to Jomo. It was close to closing time and I was alone at the enclosure. He was sitting quietly and I said Hello Handsome, and he shuffled around and showed me his back. I laughed and he peeked over his shoulder at me , looked at me for a few seconds and looked back away.
I guess he had had enough for one day. Sending prayers of comfort to all of his Zoo family .
Amazing. True love and respect is an awesome relationship. Bless you and all your fellow workers. Blessings and Peace.
I know he was blessed to live a wonderful life with all the fantastic people at Cincinnati Zoo. We will all miss you Jomo….see you again one day. ♡
What a beautiful tribute to an amazing animal. Peace and blessing to all who cared for him and loved him.
What a special bond all of you had who cared for Jomo. Thank you for a wonderful tribute and glimpse into Jomo’s life and thank you for all you do!
I’m so sorry for you, Ron and the rest of his care team. It’s so hard losing such an amazing animal. He will be missed.
So sorry to hear about Jomo and the loss that all of you are feeling right now. May you take comfort in the knowledge that he loved you also and knew you were trying your best for him through all of his life and especially at the end. My deepest sympathies to all of you. i am a volunteer at the Toronto Zoo and knew his mother and know his dad so was planning on a visit to see Jomo when I could travel after COVID
Rest big boy. ♥️
My son absolutely LOVED Jomo. From the time he was a little boy until now as a teenager, it was always the first & last exhibit we visited on our many, many trips to the zoo. We’d followed the decline in his health, but always hoped he’d be there next year. It’s the end of an era for us. My heart is broken for all. RIP Jomo.
Sara Johnson says:
What a wonderful tribute! Thanks to all the many caretakers who loved him. And thanks to Ashley Ashcroft, who wrote this, and shared it with us.
The Silverback is such a magnificent leader. I am sorry for the loss of Jomo. His caretakers must be heartbroken. Their massive build is something to behold. Such a loss
Such a wonderful tribute to a magnificent gorilla. My heart goes out to everyone in his care team and to his girls. I loved watching him watching them. He will be missed by everyone.
Among all his great qualities don’t forget what a talented artist he was! Since downsizing to a small condo, I have had to hang the painting he did in a bathroom- there is no way I wasn’t going to find a place for it somewhere. RIP old friend.
I’m so sorry for the loss of Jomo. I was blessed to see him this past fall on a visit to the zoo. Please accept my condolences from Columbus.
We ( all people ) , learn so much from animals. Their intelligence, bravery, and kindness most often gets overlooked. Humans are really not that different. And it is amazing and so in lighting when a bond is formed. It is a gift, and Jomo will always be in your heart. I’m sure Jomo felt you and the other caregivers would help his family adjust to his absence. My heart goes out to you and to all the other Gorillas. Thank you for caring
So so sorry for your loss hope you can get another gorilla to take his place
Incredibly poignant…a heartfelt tribute.
What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful being. Thank you Ashley and thank you to each and every caregiver at the Cincinnati Zoo. The animals are extraordinary, of course but your insights into who they are help me and I’m sure many others in understanding and appreciating these fellow travelers of life with whom we share this Earth.
“…a magnificent ambassador for his species.” We should all aspire to this.
Thank you Ashley for the wonderful eulogy for the beloved Jomo. Condolences to all of you who cared for this big boy. We in the public loved him too. His girls will surely miss him. I remember how he sat by Asha and their baby, waiting patiently to touch the new little girl. He was a benevolent king of his troop.
Those that care for others are beautiful people! So sorry for your loss!
Thank you for your tribute to Jomo. I’m glad I got to know him a little through your eyes. He will be greatly missed.
Am so sorry for your loss. For all of his caregivers, thank you for the wonderful care and love you gave Jomo all these years. I just know he felt all the love.
You will be missed Jomo, but I’m so grateful you were part of our Zoo family.
I remember one time watching him with the youngsters. One of the older youngsters was approaching a tiny one and put a hand on him, and Jomo must’ve thought he did not have the best intentions. He charged at him just a little bit to let him know he was watching and the older gorilla moved quickly.
Jomo was, by far, the animal I photographed most at the zoo, and the one I missed most when we moved away a few years ago. As an Animal Biologist (by schooling) the gorilla exhibit was where I would head in Cincy when the world made no sense to me, and it would make sense again soon after watching them. Jomo didn’t pay any attention to me at first, but when he did – I was aware of it. (I have quite a few pictures of the side-eyed glance that Ashley spoke of! LOL!) My heart breaks for his care team, and I send you all my deepest condolences. He was amazing!
It is just heartbreaking to learn of his passing. I so enjoyed watching him with his troop and especially with the little ones. He was indeed a great leader and an impressive ambassador for his species. The gorilla family will surely grieve his loss and will have many adjustments ahead. My heartfelt condolences to you Ashley and to all of the gorilla world care givers. We will all miss him but will always hold his memory close to our heart.
Oh my heart is broken. Such fond memories of seeing him.
My thoughts and prayers are with all the zoo staff.
My deepest condolences . The loss of Harambe & now Jomo. My heart hurts for all . My thoughts & prayers are with EVERYONE involved & who loved Jomo .
Sincerely , Christine Hedrick & Family of Dayton
Do sorry for your loss !, everyone will miss him!
Thank you for all the wonderful care you gave to him and continue to give to all the animals! Jomo was my daughter’s favorite and she will be so sad to hear of his passing!
Thank you for the wonderful tribute to Jomo. I have followed the Cincinnati Zoo for a few years, Jomo almost seemed human to me. I know you all are in morning for him, but I envy all the time you had to share with him, love ❤️ him and learn from him! Rest in Paradise Big guy!!
Beautiful tribute, you were lucky to have worked with him but will greatly miss him. You have his kids now! May he Rest In Peace!
You will be missed Jomo, rest easy big guy ❤️❤️
What a handsome man he was. I, too, have a degenerative spinal condition. The pain is so bad sometimes that I fantasize about euthanasia. I’m happy for him that he is no longer suffering.
Such a beautiful tribute Ashley, so heartfelt and touching. My deepest sympathies to you and the other gorilla Caregivers. My heart goes out to you all. Jomo was given the best care with love. I was crushed hearing the sad news yesterday, and will miss him greatly.
Rest easy Big Guy. ❤
My heart is with you all. Thank you and your team members for the care you give each and every day not just at work but in your hearts and minds at home after/before your days with these lovely beings we share the earth with and NEED to learn about.
My condolences to the Cincinnati Zoo team members and Jomo’s caretakers. You all provided Jomo with an amazing life. He was very lucky to his human family be able to show him love and care for him during his last days. Bless you all for the work you do and care you provide to all the animals.
That was a great Tribute to Jomo Our thoughts and prayers to all the Caregivers at Cincinnati Zoo and Jomo kids . I absolutely Loved going to seeing them it will Definitely be different going there without him there but will be right the visiting the kids. RIP JOMO . This is our favorite place to visit at the zoo we can spend an hour there watching them
My condolences to the Cincinnati Zoo team