CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Caruso, the 30-year-old male white-cheeked gibbon at Lincoln Park Zoo since 1993, was laid to rest after declining health problems affected his mobility.
The zoo reported Aug. 21 that the animal care staff made the difficult decision to euthanize Caruso, who had mobility issues from a sudden disc-related problem in April. The vet team had the ongoing challenge of managing his declining health, the zoo said in a press release.
Caruso, known for his welcoming singing to guests at the zoo and his gregarious behavior, was easily a memorable character. He enjoyed interacting in daily training sessions with keepers, even making vocalizations for his favorite food and enrichment items.
He gave birth to four offspring during his lifetime with his mate Burma, also known for her singing.
“Having been an integral part of Lincoln Park Zoo for the past 27 years, it’s difficult to express the impact Caruso has had on our zoo family, as well as the community as a whole”, said Curator of Primates Jill Moyse in a statement. “From swinging across his habitat to greet guests to forming deep bonds with keepers, Caruso’s larger than life personality will be immensely missed.”
Caruso was one of the oldest white-cheeked gibbon males in the current Association of Zoos and Aquariums population, the zoo said. White-cheeked gibbons are a critically endangered species, receiving their name from the white patch of fur surrounding their mouth and chin. Like other gibbons, they are known as small apes due to their relatively diminutive body size compared to great apes, such as western lowland gorillas. They can reach up to 25 inches in height and weigh approximately 16 pounds. They have extremely long arms and legs that are adapted to moving through trees but, like all apes, white-cheeked gibbons do not have tails, the zoo said.
"The Lincoln Park Zoo family is grieving this loss and know that he will be missed by many supporters in the community," the zoo said in a statement.
