Rockhampton Zoo’s Samantha the chimpanzee dead at 40

The shock death of a 40-year-old chimpanzee who loved and cared for everyone has devastated the chimp troop and zookeepers. Read more about her from those who knew her.

Samantha the chimpanzee, born in New Zealand and moved to Australia in 2009, died suddenly yesterday, Rockhampton Zoo have announced. She moved to the Central Queensland zoo in 2012 with her friend Holly from Mogo Zoo near Batemans Bay in New South Wales. She was 40 years old when she died.

One of Rocky’s favourite chimps might have struggled to have a family, but that didn’t stop her becoming a mum to those in her troop or being adopted by the many locals who would visit her at the zoo.

In the wake of her passing, 40-year-old Rockhampton Zoo chimpanzee Samantha has been described as a “beautiful soul” who was like a mother despite being “quite low-ranking in their hierarchy”.

Rockhampton Regional Council said she was enjoying her dinner and acting normally late yesterday afternoon, but was found unresponsive 20 minutes later.

The 40-year-old chimp was diagnosed with early stage heart disease in 2020 and it is suspected she died from a heart attack.

Samantha the Chimp from Rockhampton Zoo.

An autopsy has been conducted and the cause of death will be known once these results are received.

In late 2022, Samantha took on the surrogate mother role for Gandali, who lost his mother, Holly.

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

Now four years old, Gandali shares a very close bond with his father Alon who will no doubt provide guidance and comfort to Gandali.

Heart-broken Parks Sport and Public Spaces Councillor Cherie Rutherford said despite having “a bit of a rough trot” - giving birth to two stillborn chimpanzees - she loved to care for the other chimps.

“When Capri was born, she was absolutely fascinated by Capri,” Cr Rutherford said of Samantha.

“She was quite happy to groom (everyone).”

The councillor has a close affinity to the zoo herself, having worked at the Botanic Gardens before she was elected since she was 17 years old.

Samantha was born in New Zealand then travelled to Australia in 2009, where she was paired up with Holly at Mogo Zoo.

In 2012 Samantha and Holly moved to Rockhampton Zoo and they remained loyal friends to each other.

The transfer of the chimps to Rockhampton was a recommendation of the Regional Chimpanzee Management Plan conducted by the Zoo and Aquarium Association.

Cr Rutherford said Samantha would be remembered for her beautiful nature.

Samantha the chimpanzee, born in New Zealand and moved to Australia in 2009, died suddenly yesterday, Rockhampton Zoo have announced. She moved to the Central Queensland zoo in 2012 with her friend Holly from Mogo Zoo near Batemans Bay in New South Wales. She was 40 years old when she died.

“She was a lovely, lovely chimp,” she said.

Fortunately the chimp had a special 40th birthday celebration last year, complete with a fruit and yoghurt cake in honour of the occasion.

“It’s a good age for a chimp,” Cr Rutherford said.

“Food was her favourite thing - any food,” she laughed.

She said the troop are banding together while they mourn Samantha’s passing.

“The troop are like family, so they feel this particularly hard,” Cr Rutherford said.

“We’re lucky they lean on each other.”

Samantha the chimpanzee, grooming Ockie.

Samantha gave birth to her first baby in November 2019 – though heartbreakingly, the baby was stillborn.

The male infant died either during the birth itself or immediately after as his lungs still had amniotic fluid in them, meaning the baby never took a breath.

“It was devastating and while we must always stay wary in these kinds of situations, we are hoping all is going to be well this time round,“ Cr Rutherford said.

In 2021, Rockhampton Zoo was cautiously counting down the days to welcome the chimpanzee troop’s newest addition on April 18 when the 37-year-old chimpanzee, Samantha, was pregnant again.

At the time, primate keeper Blair Chapman said the keepers are monitoring the infant’s positioning and movement throughout the day.

Samantha the chimpanzee, born in New Zealand and moved to Australia in 2009, died suddenly yesterday, Rockhampton Zoo have announced. She moved to the Central Queensland zoo in 2012 with her friend Holly from Mogo Zoo near Batemans Bay in New South Wales. She was 40 years old when she died.

Blair said when the expecting mother was not resting, she was often found eating or interacting with primate Holly and Gandali.

Like any mother, her patience levels were dropping.

“She is still interacting with the group like normal, however her tolerance for Capri’s antics is non-existent,“ Blair said.

“Capri is now three years old and can be quite busy and it appears Samantha isn’t as enthused at the moment.

“We have spotted her spending a lot more time with Holly and Gandali and she quite often babysits while Holly has a quick snooze.”