The oldest chimpanzee at the Kansas City Zoo died Friday, WDAF reported. She was 55.
Blackie, a mother of eight, a grandmother and a fixture at the zoo since arriving in 1966, was euthanized Friday, the Kansas City Star reported.
“It is with great sadness that we report that one of the Zoo’s beloved chimpanzees ... passed away Friday,” the zoo reported Monday in a news release.
The average life expectancy of a chimpanzee in captivity is 37, the Star reported. Blackie was euthanized "due to her declining health," according to the zoo's news release.
Blackie was born in Africa. The zoo’s oldest chimp now is Lucy, 31, born in July 1987.
“Her devoted human caregivers will especially remember Blackie for her feisty but sweet personality,” the zoo said in its release. “She loved snow and bubble baths and was a favorite of the zookeepers who worked with her. She will be deeply missed.”
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