SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) was hit with another tough loss Tuesday, announcing the death of a 30-year-old Western lowland gorilla named Maka.

Maka, who was diagnosed with chromosomal abnormalities at the age of five, recently began experiencing brief seizures, the nonprofit organization said in a Facebook post at 3:25 p.m. During an exam this week, Maka unexpectedly died from a cardiac event.

Born at the San Diego Zoo, Maka was known as a "small-but-mighty leader," guiding his younger brothers, Ekuba and Denny, "with patience and steadiness," according to the Wildlife Alliance.

Although Maka was diagnosed with chromosomal abnormalities, zoo officials said he "thrived under the dedication and skill of his wildlife health and care teams, exceedin

See Full Page