Oldest howler monkey in captivity dies at 32
BRIDGEPORT — Zuele, billed as the oldest howler monkey in captivity, died earlier this week at age 32, according to an announcement from Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo.
The zoo said Zuele died Monday, having far exceeded the average lifespan for howler monkeys, which is between 16 and 20 years.
“Zuele was a very charismatic animal, who touched not only her many caretakers over the years, but guests as well,” said zoo Curator Rob Tomas. “Zuele would greet her caretakers every morning with a howler ‘chirp,’ saying good morning, and was always happy to interact with staff.”
When Zuele turned 32 last May 27, the zoo threw a birthday celebration, including a cake made of her favorite fruits.
Tomas said even when previous staff members visited, they’d always stop by to see Zuele because of her unusual personality for a black and gold howler monkey.
They are typically shy and not likely to interact with humans, but Zuele liked to sit in front of her habitat and engage guests — offering high-fives by putting her hand up to the enclosure’s glass.
“Zuele has left a positive impact on all of us, and will be truly missed,” Tomas said.
Her age set her apart from other howler monkeys, including her companions in the zoo’s Rainforest Building — Kim and Cain. But her age also left her suffering from some of the same geriatric problems humans deal with, including arthritis and loss of bone density and muscle mass.
The zoo’s medical team and her animal care staff kept a constant eye on her and gave her attention to make sure she lived her long life in comfort, the zoo said.
“Zuele was one of the most beloved animals in our zoo family,” said Gregg Dancho, director of the Beardsley Zoo. “I will certainly miss going by her habitat and having her give me her ‘smile’ every time I asked her for it.”
Howler monkeys, which are indigenous to Latin America, are the loudest animals in the ‘New World,’ with a guttural howl that can travel for 3 miles through a dense forest, the zoo said. The species is under pressure from loss of habitat and being hunted for meat and for export for the illegal pet trade.