PEORIA, Ill. – A longtime resident of the Peoria Zoo has passed away.
The zoo announced on Thursday the death of its “beloved” black-handed spider monkey, Butch. Butch was 52 years old, and believed to be the oldest known of his species.
The zoo says black-handed spider monkeys have a median life expectancy of 27 years, but can live longer in managed care.
Butch was born in 1973 and came to the Peoria Zoo from the Bergen County Zoo in Paramus, NJ in 1981.
Butch shared his time at the zoo with four female companions, most recently with Darla since 1997. Butch fathered two spider monkeys; Eva on New Year’s Eve in 1984 with Agnes, and Dutch on December 2nd, 2000 with Darla.
“Butch was more than an animal in our care; he was an ambassador for his species and a living link to the Zoo’s history,” said Peoria Zoo Director Max Lakes, in a statement. “His incredible story, spanning more than half a century, touched the lives of countless visitors and underscored our mission to create connections that inspire conservation.”
The Peoria Zoo says details on a public tribute will be released in the coming days. Staff is working to determine the future of the black-handed spider monkey population at the zoo, and is providing additional support and care to Darla.
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