Rockhampton Zoo: Holly the chimpanzee death, baby Gandali left behind

A post-mortem has revealed what caused the death of beloved Rockhampton Zoo chimpanzee Holly after her unexpected passing. NEW DETAILS.

Holly the chimpanzee sadly passed away on December 7, 2022.

Autopsy results have revealed the cause of death of Rockhampton Zoo's beloved chimpanzee Holly after she died late last year.

Holly died unexpectedly in December at the age of 34, leaving behind her baby boy chimp, Gandali. 

It has been revealed at the time of Holly's death she was being treated for a wound to the finger which was being closely monitored by keepers and vets. 

But despite the efforts of staff and the care she was receiving, post mortem results showed that she developed septicaemia.

Holly was on antibiotics to fight infection. 

Holly taken a few years ago when she was 28.

The zoo vet team attended to Holly immediately when she first showed signs of illness however she deteriorated very quickly and died on December 7 at 9am.

Zoo staff stayed with Holly throughout Tuesday night in shifts and she was never left alone.

The other chimpanzees were understandably upset at their mate’s sudden illness.

Chimpanzee Holly yawning in the shade at Rockhampton Zoo.

“Leakey and Samantha were very protective of Holly while she was sick and it took an awful lot for the keepers to encourage them away from Holly so she could be treated,” Rockhampton Regional Council Parks, Sport and Public Spaces Councillor Cherie Rutherford said.

“The zoo staff did everything that could possibly be done.”

Holly and Gandali at Rockhampton Zoo. Holly sadly passed away on December 7, 2022 unexpectedly at 34 years of age.

Holly gave birth to Gandali (a Darumbal word meaning star) on February 3, 2020.

“It is awful that Gandali will now have to grow up without his mum, however the troop have come together around him and are doing an amazing job of caring for him while they deal with their own grief,” Ms Rutherford said.

A happy Gandali celebrates being named

“We have seen the other chimps step up beautifully to look after him, Capri has just been wonderful.

“Alon has been seen cuddling him and Sam, she has always been a wonderful Aunty and she seems to be taking over that maternal role as well.

“Blair’s bond is very special with Gandali, he has managed to get him to have some drinks of milk.”

Chimpanzee Holly playing around.

Rockhampton Zoo team leader Blair Chapman has been at the zoo for more than six years, primarily working with the chimpanzees.

He said it was a very tough 24 hours when Holly was sick, given it was so sudden.

“It’s very devastating … it’s going to be a hard time to get past this,” he said.

“Our main focus is Gandali’s welfare as well as the group.

Holly cooling down with a hose.

“They (the chimp troop) all had a chance to come say goodbye to Holly and realise she had passed.”

Baby chimps are generally weaned at about four years of age, with Gandali almost three years old now.

Gandali was still suckling from Holly at least six times a day, albeit for short periods.

Rockhampton Zoo team leader Blair Chapman and Councillor Cherie Rutherford with alpha-male chimpanzee Alon in the background.

“We have spoken to chimp experts around Australia and come up with a plan going forward,” Mr Chapman said.

“We will give him supplement feeds as he needs them every couple of times a day and then slowly wean him off.”

Blood tests and samples have been sent to a lab to confirm the exact cause of Holly’s death.

“We are waiting for results and we will take it from there,” Mr Chapman said.

Holly when she was new to the zoo around 2013. Photo Allan Reinikka / The Morning Bulletin

Holly was born at Bullen’s Family Circus in 1988 and was hand reared.

She went to Mogo Zoo on the south coast of New South Wales before relocating to Rockhampton Zoo in 2012.

During her time in Rockhampton, she was trained in more chimp behaviour.

Holly the chimp hiding under her favourite blankie. Photo: Contributed.

“She was all personality, but she had some issues,” Ms Rutherford said.

“It was difficult at times for Holly because she was hand reared, she had far more human behaviours than she did chimpanzee behaviour … It took a lot of work for her to learn to be a chimpanzee again.

“She was a very vital part of this troop … she was a very good mother, very calm, very relaxed.”

Just a week after Holly's passing one of the Zoo's new white-cheeked Gibbons Tuson also passed away. 

Post mortem results for Tuson revealed she had severe stomach ulcers which led to infection. 

Cr Rutherford said while there was no evidence of contagious infections, Tuson's cousin Nakai underwent testing as a precaution. 

“He is showing no sign of ill health and is doing well," she said. 

“We can also confirm that the two deaths were unrelated, although the close timing has made the blow that much harder for our staff.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to once again send my condolences to the Zoo staff and thank our community for their support surrounding the huge loss of Holly and Tuson.”