Summary:
– The excellent medical care provided by Kansas State University Exotic and Zoo Animal Medicine Services has led to record-breaking ages for many animal residents at Sunset Zoo.
– Susie, the oldest Chimpanzee in human care, is 69 years old, and Brownie, the grizzly bear, lived to be 57 years old, the oldest recorded age within the AZA.
– Cricket, a lesser-known resident, became the oldest Western Tufted Deer on record within the AZA, living to be 31 years and 5 months old, nearly three times the median life expectancy for males of this species.
– Sunset Zoo is honored to care for these amazing animals and appreciates the joy they bring to the staff, guests, and community.
When it comes to taking care of animals in a zoo, the well-being and health of each resident is of utmost importance. At Sunset Zoo, we proudly say that our animals receive top-notch medical care from experts from the Kansas State University Exotic and Zoo Animal Medicine Services. Thanks to this exceptional care, we have witnessed some remarkable milestones in the lives of our animal residents, with many breaking records for their longevity.
One such impressive achievement is the longevity of Susie, our beloved Chimpanzee. Susie is the oldest Chimpanzee currently in human care, clocking in at an impressive 69 years old. This is no small feat, considering that female chimpanzees usually live an average of 40.2 years in human care. Susie’s longevity can be attributed to the excellent medical care she receives from the team at Kansas State University and the dedication of our animal care staff.
Another animal resident who has left a lasting impression on us is Brownie, the grizzly bear. Brownie lived at Sunset Zoo for a remarkable 41 years, surpassing the previous AZA record for the oldest recorded age of a grizzly bear. Sadly, Brownie is no longer with us, but his memory lives on. His impressive lifespan of 57 years is a testament to the quality of care he received at Sunset Zoo.
While Susie and Brownie might steal the spotlight, other animal residents at Sunset Zoo have achieved remarkable milestones in their own right. Take Cricket, a lesser-known but equally special member of our zoo family. Cricket, a Western Tufted Deer, became the oldest deer of his kind on record within the AZA, living to be a remarkable 31 years and 5 months old.
This feat is remarkable because the median life expectancy for male Western Tufted Deer is 13.6 years. By exceeding this median lifespan by nearly three times, Cricket has defied expectations and captured our hearts. He was born at San Diego Zoo on March 1, 1992, and joined the Sunset Zoo family on November 4, 1993. Cricket sired seven offspring during his time at Sunset Zoo, and one of his offspring, One Eye, also lived an impressive life, reaching 22.
The dedication and expertise of our staff have played a significant role in ensuring the health and well-being of these geriatric animal residents. Their daily commitment to providing the best possible care, alongside the excellent medical services offered by Kansas State University Exotic and Zoo Animal Medicine Services, has undoubtedly contributed to the extended lifespans we have witnessed at Sunset Zoo.
We are truly honored to have the privilege of caring for these incredible young and old animals. They bring joy to our staff, guests, and community daily. The record-breaking ages reached by Susie, Brownie, and Cricket are a testament to the bond between our animal residents and those who care for them.
Reflecting on these extraordinary achievements reminds us of the importance of protecting and preserving our natural world. Through our work at Sunset Zoo, we strive to inspire a love for wildlife and nature in our visitors. We hope that by witnessing the remarkable lives of these animal residents, our guests will be motivated to take steps to conserve and protect the habitats and species that make our planet truly unique.
In conclusion, the exceptional medical care provided by Kansas State University Exotic and Zoo Animal Medicine Services, combined with the dedication of our animal care staff, has resulted in record-breaking ages for many of our animal residents at Sunset Zoo. Susie, Brownie, and Cricket are just a few of the remarkable animals who have captivated our hearts and demonstrated the resilience and longevity that can be achieved with proper care and support. We are truly grateful for the opportunity to care for these animals and the joy they bring to our community. Let’s celebrate and continue to protect and cherish our amazing wildlife.
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Source Description
Due to the excellent medical care from Kansas State University Exotic and Zoo Animal Medicine Services and the daily dedication of our animal care staff, we have experienced record-breaking ages for many animal residents at Sunset Zoo. A couple of the big names of geriatric animal residents are Susie, the oldest Chimpanzee currently in human care, who is 69 years old and Brownie, the Grizzly Bear, who lived at Sunset Zoo for 41 years and lived to be 57 years old (oldest recorded within AZA). Female Chimpanzees live an average lifespan of 40.2 years in human care, and Grizzly Bears live about 25 years in the wild.
A lesser-known animal resident, named Cricket, became the oldest Western Tufted Deer on record within AZA at 31 years and 5 months. Cricket passed away at Sunset Zoo on Tuesday, August 1, leaving the next oldest living Tufted Deer, a female of 22 years old. He was born at San Diego Zoo on March 1, 1992, and arrived at Sunset Zoo on November 4, 1993. Cricket sired 7 offspring here at Sunset Zoo, 6 males and 1 female, who went on to other AZA institutions to produce offspring. One of his offspring, One Eye, lived at Sunset Zoo until he was 22. The median life expectancy of male Western Tufted Deer is 13.6 years, which means Cricket lived nearly three lifetimes.
We are honored to care for these great animal residents of Sunset Zoo, young and old. Cheers to the years these animals have given to the staff, guests, and community.
📸: Keeper Jess
