New York City gorilla Pattycake died at age 40, said a statement released by the Wildlife Conservation Society's Bronx Zoo.

Pattycake was born at the Central Park Zoo Sept. 3, 1972, to parents Kongo and Lulu. At 40 years, she was in her advanced years of life and had developed chronic heart disease. Gorillas in zoos have a median age of about 37 years.

"Pattycake was perhaps the best known gorilla at the Bronx Zoo, and an institution in New York City. Millions of children in New York City grew up with Pattycake at the Bronx Zoo. Pattycake was a very special animal and her presence will be deeply missed," said Jim Breheny, Director of the Bronx Zoo and WCS Executive Vice President and General Director of Zoos & Aquarium, according to a statement.

Pattycake gave birth to 10 infants while she was at the zoo. Currently, her offspring live in zoos in Omaha, Louisville, Utah, Detroit, Boston and Buffalo.

There are two books written about her called "Gorilla Baby: The Story of Pattycake", and "Gentle Gorilla: The Story of Pattycake".

There are about 338 gorillas at various North American zoos now, of which Pattycake was the 31st oldest.

The Bronx Zoo has now got three troops of western lowland gorillas. The exhibit Congo Gorilla Forest that was opened in 1999 has been visited by millions of people over the years and has helped generate $11 million for the conservation of elephants, mandrills, gorillas and other animals in Africa.