St. Louis ? A gorilla at the St. Louis Zoo was found accidentally strangled in his sleeping cage over the weekend.

Zookeepers said they found the body of 8-year-old Muchana tangled in some rope Saturday morning. Assistant general curator Bill Houston told The St. Louis Post-Dispatch that it appeared Muchana managed to pull apart some of the rope used for climbing and it became wrapped around his neck.

Zoo veterinarians couldn’t revive the gorilla.

Most visitors Saturday were not aware of Muchana’s death, Houston said, because the Great Apes area has been closed to the public for renovation.

St. Louis Zoo officials said grief counselors would be available to help staff cope with the loss of Muchana.