Wellington Zoo Nippy the gibbon dies

[Chlidonias]

Nippy came to Wellington Zoo in 1949 when he was one year old. Nippy no more - New Zealand news on Stuff.co.nz

"Nippy ... was euthanased today after his health rapidly deteriorated. Vet staff who feed and monitor Nippy on a daily basis have noticed he has gone down hill over the last three days - he has been disinterested in food and has spent most of his time in his bed," Zoo operations general manager Mauritz Basson said.

"The decision to euthanase him was not made lightly, but we firmly believe it was in his best interest. His mind remained agile but it seemed that his body had just given up."

Mr Bassoon said Zoo staff were particularly sad to see Nippy go.

"He was a real character and was much loved by everyone who worked here, and he in turn loved being visited by staff and having his back scratched.

"He was a feisty ape, named for his tendency to bite."

Nippy has been off display at the Zoo for many years. It is believed that Nippy was the oldest gibbon that ever lived in captivity. Most gibbons do not live past 40.

 

[Ara]

60 - That's a phenomenal age for a gibbon, and has got to be a world record.
Crandall's "Management of Wild Mammals in Captivity" (which admittedly was published a long time ago) makes the point that any gibbon over 30 years old is exceptional.

 

[Chlidonias]

just came across this from a few weeks ago, with more info on Nippy
Farewell Nippy - gibbon but not forgotten - New Zealand, world, sport, business & entertainment news on Stuff.co.nz

Farewell Nippy - gibbon but not forgotten
By JENNY LING - The Dominion Post | Wednesday, 03 September 2008

He lived a life many humans would have been proud of - full of friendships, loving relationships and an occasional party.

But Nippy the gibbon, who was believed to be the oldest in captivity, finally succumbed to age yesterday and died at Wellington Zoo, aged about 60.

"He was like an icon really," said one of his oldest friends, Frank Coles. "We had some very good talks together.

"He did marvellously to live that long. It's a tremendous age."

Nippy arrived in New Zealand on a boat from Southeast Asia in 1949 when he was about a year old. He is believed to have been born in Borneo but that is a mystery as his records were destroyed in a fire at the zoo in the 1970s.

Known as "a bit of a character" with a tendency to bite keepers, the feisty ape gained worldwide attention when CNN reported on his 50th birthday, celebrated with a cake iced with tasty meal grubs.

But he had a softer side and was loved by staff, visitors - and other primates.

Nippy had three girlfriends, including the gibbon he arrived with and another named Barbara. He also developed a relationship with a spider monkey which was ostracised from its group.

He was put down after his health deteriorated and he lost interest in food. Gibbons rarely live past 40 in the wild.

Mr Coles, 68, a former head keeper, was introduced to Nippy as an eight-year-old by his father, who was also a head keeper.

Now retired, Mr Coles last saw his furry friend three months ago. "He was quite happy, he came over when you called him."

Though he mellowed with age, the gibbon was quite aggressive as a youngster.

"That's how his got his name Nippy - he would quite often nip someone."

Keeper Murray Roberts, who worked on and off with Nippy for more than 40 years, remembers cleaning Nippy's enclosure one day in the 1960s. "I bent over ... and he jumped on my shoulder and bit me on the head. There was quite a bit of blood."

Nippy was on view till 1989, when he was moved to an enclosure attached to the zoo hospital.