World's Oldest Gorilla Turns 56

Along with being the oldest gorilla, Colo also holds the honor of being the first gorilla ever born at a zoo. 

Colo is a Western lowland gorilla, a species that originated in the forests of central Africa. 

Colo calls the Columbus Zoo home, and the keepers at the facility are planning her a big bash. 

The last record holder for oldest gorilla was Jenny of the Dallas Zoo, who passed away at 55 in 2008. 

Colo has been making the news throughout her life, most recently for her Mega Million lotto picks. 

Colo's run at the Columbus Zoo has led to a long lineage of relatives. Colo is the mother of three, grandmother of 16, great-grandmother of seven and great-great grandmother of two.

Party plans for Colo include happy birthday serenades from guests, cake and tomatoes — Colo's favorite food. 

Colo was rejected by her mother at birth, forcing zookeepers to hand-raise the needy newborn. This was the first time a zoo attempted to raise a gorilla. 

To help with the process, Colo was treated like a human child. Staff dressed the animal in children's clothes and bottle-fed her. 

The attempt was a success. Colo was later introduced to a male gorilla and was able to assimilate with other primates and reproduce without issue.