2 weeks Ago By Nina Singh-Hudson
The San Francisco Zoo has reported the death of Maggie, a cherished female chimpanzee and one of the oldest in the United States, from lymphoma just before she could celebrate her 56th birthday. Suffering from the disease in recent months, Maggie had been under the attentive care of both animal and human cancer specialists as her health declined.Maggie, who had been a fixture at the San Francisco Zoo since her arrival in 1970 at just 2 years old, reportedly spent over half a century delighting visitors and forming an integral part of the zoo's community.
Known for the colorful nests she would make from blankets, Maggie brought warmth and simplicity to her environment, according to a social media post by the San Francisco Zoo. The Zoo credited her with touching millions of lives and leaving a lasting imprint on the facility and conservation efforts for her species.In a statement reflecting her influence on the zoo's primate group, Maggie was hailed for her subtle matriarchal role.
"Maggie was a true matriarch in every sense of the word, often ensuring harmony within the chimpanzee troop," said Tanya Peterson, CEO and Executive Director of the San Francisco Zoo, as per CBS News San Francisco. Peterson highlighted Maggie's role in the troop dynamics, adding that she "allowed the males to think they were the alpha," but she would assert herself "with strength and grace" when necessary.The passing of Maggie comes as a second blow to the zoo community, following closely on the heels of the loss of Oscar Jonesy, a 43-year-old endangered Western lowland gorilla who died earlier this year following a medical procedure.
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