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Our zoo is saddened to announce the death of Judeo, a 28-year old chimpanzee, a much-loved and long-time resident.

Judeo was bitten by a rattlesnake which had found its way into the exhibit. (The exhibit is large and the zoo is located in an enormous wilderness park. Rattlesnakes have lived in the park forever--it's impossible to prevent them moving in and out of the zoo.) By the time he was sedated enough to be moved to the health center, adrenaline had sped the flow of venom through his body and he died.

The remaining chimps (now a family of 14,) his keepers and his many friends will be devastated!

These are the tough times! It's such a joy to announce the birth of babies or the acquisition of a new species...but losing someone like Judeo really hurts the heart. There'll be many tears.

Oh, Lulu, I am so sorry to hear this. You must be a wreck. :-1 :-1 :-1 :-1

I'm so sorry to hear that.



RIP, Judeo.



:-1

What sad news Lulu, I'm sure you'll miss her terribly.

Oh, I am so sorry to hear about you loss!:yh_hugs

Thanks, everyone! We're all confused as to how the snake got into the exhibit, but chances are good that Judeo tried to kill it and the snake struck him. He was given antivenin but it took too long to get him sedated and to the health center.

When a chimp dies, the body is taken back to the exhibit night quarters, so the others can see it and know that it's dead. I can't even imagine the grief among the chimps and the keeper/vet staff!

Judeo fathered several of our chimps, so his genes live on. His kids all look like him. He was the "alpha" chimp for several years and I loved to watch him put on displays, swaggering about on two legs, hunching his shoulders and looking MANLY!

That is so tragic, Lulu.

Please accept my condolences. I hope he didn't suffer too much.

Lulu2 how awful I'm sadden as well..:-1 Where in Southern California are you located..

About two & a half hours north of you, Carla. Thanks for caring. Every endangered animal lost is a tragedy.

It springs from the same emotion, Pinks...the nurturing thing....

:-1 I'm sorry.

Pam

My most sincere and heartfelt sympathy to you, the people who cared for him and of course Judeo's family.

I'm glad your life was enriched by having him in it. :-6

oh, how sad....:-1

Lulu, I am so saddened to hear about Judeo. I know you and all of his human and animal friends will miss him.:-1

Thanks, everyone. Today I learned that one of his keepers actually saw this incident. How horrible!

OK...here's the GOOD news! I also learned today that we're getting 4 Peninsular Pronghorn...seriously endangered animals!

We'll talk more about them when they get here, ok? And on we go.....