Lincoln Park Zoo saw a milestone today as chimpanzee Keo celebrated his 50th birthday. Dozens of visitors, zookeepers and excited kids gathered outside the ape’s outdoor exhibit at Regenstein Center for African Apes to offer their congratulations. The chimpanzee responded energetically, dashing along the wall of his enclosure and interacting with visitors along the plexiglass wall.
 
A Lincoln Park Zoo resident for 49 years, Keo remains healthy and active, in part thanks to state-of-the-art care provided by keepers and veterinary staff. He is one of the oldest male chimpanzees living in a zoo, sharing his birthday with another 50-year-old ape, Cobby, living at San Francisco Zoo. Regular check-ups help zoo animals enjoy longer lives than their counterparts in the wild. Geriatric care is a special emphasis, with elderly animals receiving personalized attention and accommodations to ensure their comfort.
 
While Keo’s age might qualify him as geriatric, he looked anything but as he ran through his exhibit. He was soon joined by the other members of his group—females June, Vicky and Kibali—who set to probing the centerpiece of the celebration: a 600-pound edible “cake” donated by Nadeau’s Ice Sculpture Inc. Composed of layers of ice and berries, and topped with a big “50”, the cake made for a cool, sweet and healthy treat for a hot summer day…and a special celebration.
 
“This is an exciting event for all of us,” says Curator of Primates Sue Margulis, Ph.D. “It’s not just that Keo is 50 years old. It’s knowing that he’s lived that long thanks to all of the wonderful care he’s received from keepers, nutritionists, veterinarians and more.”

Kibali prepares to dismantle the “cake” to obtain the fruit inside.

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