Remembering Dr. Steve Ross

It is with the deepest sadness that Lincoln Park Zoo is announcing that Dr. Steve Ross, director of the Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes, died suddenly in the early morning of Wednesday, April 20.

Dr. Ross was a widely respected zoo primatologist who dedicated his life to the care, welfare, and study of chimpanzees. During his life, he helped secure safe homes for countless inappropriately housed chimps, oversaw the zoo’s efforts to conserve chimpanzees and gorillas in the Republic of Congo, and coordinated our work with one of the world’s leading chimpanzee sanctuaries. He conducted hundreds of studies and published widely on a broad range of subjects related to the fields of zoology and primatology.

This is a devastating loss for the entire Lincoln Park Zoo family. We respectfully request privacy for the family at this impossibly difficult time.

About Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo inspires communities to create environments where wildlife will thrive in our urbanizing world. The zoo is a leader in local and global conservation, animal care and welfare, learning, and science. A historic Chicago landmark founded in 1868, the not-for-profit Lincoln Park Zoo is a privately-managed, member-supported organization and is free and open 365 days a year. Visit us at lpzoo.org.