Alberta, star gorilla at San Diego Zoo Safari Park, dies

 
Sad news at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Alberta, a 32-year-old western gorilla, one of the marquee animals at the park, has died, zoo officials announced Friday.

While Alberta had some medical problems of late, her death was a surprise.

Born at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Alberta came to the park -- nee the Wild Animal Park -- when she was but a few months old.

She and her mate, Winston, had three offspring. Ndjole, a male, is on loan to the zoo in Oklahoma City.

--Tony Perry in San Diego

Photo: Alberta. Credit: San Diego Zoo