Saint Louis Zoo euthanizes chimpanzee due to worsening arthritis

ST. LOUIS – The Saint Louis Zoo announced Thursday that its medical staff “humanely euthanized” an elderly chimp due to worsening health conditions.

Rosebud, aka “Rosie,” had suffered progressive arthritis that could no longer be ameliorated by pain medication, a zoo spokesperson said. She also had other medical conditions that are common in geriatric animals.

Rosebud came to the Saint Louis Zoo in 2007 with her daughter, Utamu. She helped as Utamu became a first-time mother herself and lived long enough to see the birth of a granddaughter, Raven.

Zoo staff said Rosebud’s favorite activity was building a nest in which she could relax in the sunshine.

Rosebud was about 55 years old at the time of her death. The average wild chimpanzee lives less than 15 years, but some can live nearly twice as long.