Chimpanzee Cassius dies aged 53 at Rockhampton Zoo

Australia Broadcast Center

23-04-2025

The oldest male chimpanzee in Australasia has died, aged 53, after almost four decades "capturing hearts" at a regional Queensland zoo.
The Rockhampton council, which runs the local zoo, said Cassius "passed away peacefully" last Thursday, after suffering in recent months from suspected arthritis and dementia.
"They gave him the very best last day he possibly could have," councillor Cherie Rutherford said.
"He had lots of treats that he would not normally get and he was surrounded by all the keepers ... they stayed with him right till the very end.
"The [rest of] the troop were allowed to spend time with him as well, so that they understood that he was gone."
Cassius suffered from suspected arthritis and dementia.
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Supplied: Rockhampton Zoo
)
Cr Rutherford said the difficult decision was made to euthanase Cassius after his health declined rapidly last week and he was not recognising some of the other chimpanzees in the troop.
"He ended up having more bad days than good days," she said.
The council waited to announce the news until after the Easter break.
'Most beautiful nature'
Cassius, described as a "gorgeous old soul", had lived well past the average life span of a wild chimpanzee, which ranges from 30 to 40 years.
The council had warned the community last month that his health had been on the decline.
Cr Rutherford acknowledged that Cassius held a special place in the community's hearts and his legacy of establishing the troop in central Queensland would continue to live on.
"He genuinely did like people … he would just be sitting there waiting to interact with everybody with that big gummy smile of his,"
she said.
"He had the most beautiful nature … he had a wonderful life here. How lucky are we to have had him.
"A beautiful old soul who captured the hearts of everyone he met."
Keepers described Cassius as a "gorgeous old soul".
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Supplied: Rockhampton Zoo
)
Escaping death row
Born in Coolangatta in 1971, Cassius first came to the Rockhampton Zoo almost forty years ago.
In 1986 Tom Wyatt, the director of Rockhampton's Sport and Recreation, was trying to set up a zoo in the city's botanic gardens.
Mr Wyatt, former councillor John Broad and then-mayor Jim Webber
The pair was set to be euthanased after a tuberculosis scare.
Though it was confirmed neither chimp had the illness, the state governments in both New South Wales and Queensland would not sign permits for an interstate transfer.
The pair was brought to the Rockhampton Zoo and with infrastructure established, more chimpanzees were eventually brought in to grow the troop.
The five-member troop is now a key part of the
"Aside from that it's one of our best tourist attractions," Cr Rutherford said.
"[The chimps] have just brought so much to the community and Cassius in particular — people will remember him for a very long time."
Cr Rutherford said the community would have an opportunity to remember Cassius at a memorial in the coming weeks.