Europe’s ‘oldest chimp’ Blossom dies at 62

Blair Drummond visitors remember ‘cheeky wee soul’ who will be a ‘big loss’

Europe’s “oldest chimpanzee” has passed away at a Stirlingshire safari park at the estimated age of 62.

Tributes have poured in from animal fans to Blossom, who arrived at Blair Drummond in 1972, when she was thought to be aged 17.

The chimp died on November 11 but the park has only just revealed the sad news.

Announcing Blossom’s death on Facebook, the park shared an image of the beloved chimp, writing: “It is with great sadness we announce that Blossom, the matriarch of our chimpanzee group, has passed away.

“Although her exact age was unknown, Blossom arrived at the Safari Park as an adult in 1972 and it was estimated that she was in her sixties.

“She was thought to have been the eldest chimp in Europe.”

The post was instantly inundated with comments from heartbroken animal lovers – some of whom shared their own stories of meeting Blossom.

Julie-Ann Cruickshank wrote: “Oh no sad news. Remember her on my many visits was a cheeky wee soul throwing the apples one time. Lol. She will be missed. RIP Blossom.”

Gary Gilmour, park manager, who has worked at the safari park since 1986, said: “She was an animal with an enormous character who left a big impression on so many of our visitors. This is a great loss for the park.”

Blossom has died at the estimated age of 62.