Friends Say Goodbye To Great Ape
In his 42 years, Otto defied medical odds, became a painter, starred in a popular TV commercial and contributed to scientific research.
Ron Priest
Published: Jun 21, 2007
ADVERTISEMENT
More from this channel:
Search for more information:
PALM HARBOR - His name was Otto. Just Otto. Like Madonna. Or Bono.
In his 42 years, he defied medical odds, became a painter, starred in a popular TV commercial and contributed to scientific research.
He enjoyed classical music, Hula Hoops and romaine lettuce. He liked practical joking and giving finger kisses.
Among his great pastimes: watching football on television with a grape Gatorade chaser.
Otto was born in 1965 in Africa, exact location unknown, to parents he never knew.
Survivors include his best friend and almost sister, Debbie Cobb, about 15 volunteer caregivers and some 975 fans, who came to a party in his honor in April.
"He taught me more about life and love than anyone I've ever known," Cobb says.
A lowland silverback gorilla, Otto weighed in at about 550 pounds.
"We did that on a pig scale, about five years back," Cobb says.
That made him look scary to some, but he wasn't, she says.
"Otto was often misunderstood because of his size," Cobb says. "He was compassionate, gentle and kind. He loved baby anythings - animals and people. The littlest thing made him happy."
Otto lived most of his life in Palm Harbor, where he was the resident emeritus at the Suncoast Primate Sanctuary. The nonprofit, nondenominational Christian refuge serves aged and abandoned animals, mostly primates.
Except for special events, the sanctuary is closed to the public, open only to members and volunteers.
But people may remember Otto from the days it was the Chimp Farm, a roadside attraction that opened in 1954. It featured nonhuman primates rescued by owners Bob and Mae Noelle. The Chimp Farm closed in 1999 after failing several federal inspections.
Cobb, 48, the Noelles' granddaughter, grew up on the property. As such, she grew up with Otto.
He had been taken from his mother as a baby and shipped overseas, bound for the Houston City Zoo. Ill and undernourished, he was abandoned at a holding warehouse, fated to be euthanized. The Noelles learned about his situation and took him in. He was about 2 when he arrived - Cobb about 8.
Their family pediatrician and local veterinarians declared Otto had septic arthritis and tuberculosis. In a desperate attempt to save him, Mae was quarantined with him for six months so she could care for him. She and Bob spent about $200 a month in medications.
"It's a real love story," Cobb says.
Otto survived and even thrived, despite having only one working lung. Growing up, he was like a brother to Cobb. The diaper-clad gorilla even shared her bed from time to time when she was a child. Their bond deepened over years of daily contact.
"I could tell Otto anything - the ups and downs and everything. He listened to me for years, and yes, he understood," Cobb says.
A day wasn't complete without getting a kiss on the finger from her gorilla friend.
After a short illness recently, Otto began experiencing breathing problems. A team of eight physicians and veterinarians worked to save the elderly gorilla, but the prognosis wasn't good. They suspected severe colitis and other complications.
On June 2, about 4 a.m., Cobb was there, holding her best friend's hand. She told him she would be OK. She promised she and the other sanctuary volunteers would continue their work toward preservation, education and conservation. Then she prayed, "Lord, I'm ready for you to take him."
He died peacefully 25 minutes later.
A celebration of Otto's life is planned for 9 a.m. July 11 at the sanctuary, 4600 Alternate U.S. 19, Palm Harbor. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name for a new educational center and hurricane shelter planned for the sanctuary, which runs entirely on donations.
Friends will gather to remember Otto's accomplishments: his collection of finger paintings, his performance in the American Tourister luggage commercials, his work with researchers at Florida International University on mirror self-recognition in gorillas.
There will be no burial. A private benefactor paid the cost of getting Otto stuffed. If he goes on display, Cobb says, he'll be able to continue his message of wildlife conservation.
"He'll be home again one day," she says.
Michelle Bearden can be reached at mbearden@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7613.
