Little Mama chimpanzee was a remarkable individual who lived a life full of adventure and discovery.
She was born in the wild, in the heart of the African jungle, and was known for her curious and playful nature.
As a young chimpanzee, Little Mama was fascinated by the world around her and spent countless hours exploring her surroundings.
She was especially drawn to the forest's many water sources, where she would spend hours swimming and splashing with her troop.
Little Mama's love for water was just one of the many characteristics that made her so unique and endearing to those who knew her.
Here's an interesting read: Are Dogs with Rabies Scared of Water
Chimpanzee Deaths
Little Mama, the oldest living chimpanzee, passed away at Lion Country Safari, surrounded by her family group of eight other chimpanzees and some of the park's employees.
She was in her late 70s, according to the park, and died due to kidney failure, with a necropsy planned to confirm the cause of death.
Little Mama was born in Africa around 1938 and came to Lion Country Safari in 1967, after spending time as a pet and possibly as a performer in the Ice Capades.
Jane Goodall, the renowned primatologist, spent time with Little Mama in 1972 and estimated her age, and later returned to visit her in 2015, when Little Mama greeted her as an old friend with "smoochy noises" and patted her hair.
The park's staff and visitors loved Little Mama, who was described as feisty and smart, clapping her hands impatiently for breakfast each morning and soaking up attention from the staff.
A 2012 Palm Beach Post profile of the primate described her as "the funny aunt" of the park's chimps, and she loved the live-action version of "The Jungle Book".
Little Mama was given extra treats and attention by the staff in the weeks leading up to her death, as she weakened due to her age.
She was buried in a prominent place, with a mango tree planted in her honor, as mangoes were her favorite fruit.
The park's annual birthday celebration for Little Mama, held each Valentine's Day, was by far the largest, with nearly 1,100 animals in attendance.
Notable Deaths
Little Mama, the chimpanzee, lived a long and eventful life, and unfortunately, she was not alone in passing away.
Her daughter, Joanne, also known as Jo, was a key figure in the story of Little Mama, and she sadly passed away in 1989 at the age of 51.
Little Mama's remarkable life was marked by her ability to give birth to five babies, a rare feat for a chimpanzee.
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