ST. LOUIS – The Saint Louis Zoo is mourning the loss of Kijana, a 32-year-old chimpanzee and beloved member of the zoo’s tight-knit chimp troop.
Zoo officials say Kijana was humanely euthanized on Wednesday due to declining health caused by congestive heart failure.
Kijana arrived at the Saint Louis Zoo in 2018 through a breeding recommendation aimed at maintaining a healthy, genetically diverse population of chimpanzees in human care.
The zoo remembers Kijana as a friendly and social companion to other chimpanzees. He was often seen playing, wrestling and running with Jimiyu and younger female chimps in his troop. He also regularly engaged in grooming sessions with older chimps, a key part of chimp social bonding.
“One of our care team’s favorite memories of Kijana is the way he would excitedly greet keepers with teeth clacking and foot stomps—especially when they had one of his favorite treats like fruit juice or bananas,” said the zoo via Facebook.
Chimpanzees are considered and endangered species due to habitat loss, poaching and disease. For a closer look at the Saint Louis Zoo’s conservation efforts for chimpanzees, click here.