Oldest Known Ugandan Chimpanzee Dies At 54

Photo of a chimpanzee

Conservationists in Uganda will hold a vigil later for the country's oldest captive chimpanzee, BBC reports.

The 54-year-old male, called Zakayo, succumbed to a stomach bug on Thursday.

Born in the wild, he was found abandoned in western Uganda and kept as a pet until the age of 13.

That's when he was handed in to Entebbe Zoo, now called the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, becoming its dominant male.

Staff said Zakayo had brought up the zoo's chimpanzee family, including nurturing two further dominant males.

They've urged supporters to join them in celebrating the life of a "legend".





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