DALLAS – Jenny the gorilla, who has lived at the Dallas Zoo for more than half a century, died on Thursday following a stomach tumor, zoo officials said.

Jenny, a Western lowland gorilla, at age 55 was believed to be the oldest gorilla in the world.

The stomach tumor had begun to affect her eating and drinking.

Jenny celebrated her 55th birthday this spring with a special frozen fruit cake and presents wrapped in leaves.

She lived at the Dallas Zoo for more than 50 years and was one of only four gorillas over the age of 50 in North American zoos.

“She touched so many people’s lives and helped them appreciate this endangered species,” said Chuck Siegel, deputy director for animal management.

"Her longevity is a testament to the outstanding animal care that the Dallas Zoo provides for wildlife. Her legacy will live on through our commitment to educating the public about the importance of gorilla conservation, and continuing our efforts to protect gorillas in the wild."

Jenny lived with Timbo, 46. In addition to Timbo, the zoo has three other gorillas, including Patrick, 18, and two new females, Tufani, 18, and Makena, 9, who arrived earlier this year.

At 213 pounds, Jenny had been in relatively good health for her impressive age. In recent years, she had contributed to a national study on female menopause in gorillas.

She loved to forage for food items, such as seeds and cereal hidden beneath pine shavings and wood wool, and could often be seen napping below a fig tree in her habitat, the zoo said.

Ironically, she did not like to eat bananas but loved to eat the peels, something she did since her infant years.

Gorillas are the largest primates in the world and considered critically endangered due to loss of habitat and poaching.