Monday, March 24, 2025

Farewell To Our Last Original Chimpanzee - RIP Maggie

This past Wednesday evening, I again made the mistake of looking at email late night.  I try avoid email after sun down, to ensure a peaceful evening.  The news that came through my google alert for "sfzoo", was anything but peaceful.  That afternoon the Zoo announced the passing of Our Precious Maggie.  My heart broke and tears flowed, as they are right now writing about her.  I didn't know about her ill health, so I was shocked.   It's a very sad time.

Born in 1963, the Zoo has always been a part of my life.  I have photos of myself as a babie with my parents at the Zoo's Storyland and Farm.  One of my clearest memories is of the Chimpanzees, during what would have been the early time of Our Originals life in Triple Grotto.  I didn't know about them as individuals til decades later, but I know they were always there.  Now, with Maggie's passing, it's the end of a chapter in my lifetime and certainly in the lifetime of Our Zoo's Original Chimpanzee Family.

photo leo811

I consider this Family to be Zoo Icons.  
L-R Cobby, Tallulah, Maggie and Minnie.

Maggie was born in the wild, kidnapped from her Mother and Family, when she was a babie, and sold into the Exotic Pet Trade.  Soon she would meet another babie who suffered the same fate, our Minnie.  Within a year, Our Zoo would become their lifelong home.  At the Zoo Maggie met Cobby, Tallulah, and Candy. Along with Minnie they became a Family.  After Candy's passing in the early 80s, the four remaining, lived together over forty years, and our trio another ten plus, after Tallulah's passing in 2013.  I am so thankful they had eachother for so long.  

Maggie always seemed like the happiest girl, enjoying everything and everyone around her.  She was the master groomer, and always seemed to be taking care of her Family. Her charismatic personality extended to the four new Chimpanzees arrived at the Zoo on 2019.  Maggie became a friend to each one immediately.  She and Minnie were very bonded, but Maggie always made the rounds, spending time interacting with every other Chimp.  She really seemed to enjoy life, and experiencing everything it had to offer her.

photo leo811

My favorite photo of Maggie.  See you on the other side little girl, and one day we will have that dance, and a whole lot more fun.  Thank you for being a part of my life.  It's been a joy to know you.  RIP Beautiful Maggie, Bless Your Soul.  I Love You Lady. ... I hope you have a beautiful afterlife, not only reuniting with your lifelong Family, sister Minnie, Cobby, and Tallulah, but your new Friend Jamie, and also your Mama and wild Family, who have never forgotten you.

It's taken me days to get to writing this post.  I think mostly because her passing sparked many thoughts, that have now been filtered into a three part series.  I've been pulling photos and videos the last couple days.  Reliving all these captures from our lives has been emotional.   

I've selected a video of Maggie with each one of her original Family members.  As I watched so many videos, I thought it would be nice to show how close they were.  

Another favorite photo of mine.  Maggie loved looking at her cute self in the mirror, more than anyone else in her family.

photo leo811

Maggie admiring herself in the Mirror


video screencap

Maggie Grooming and Hugging Minnie


video screencap

Cobby giving Maggie a Kiss


video screencap

Tallulah investigating her purse, 
Maggie lays down beside her.

Hope you enjoy the few moments I've shared from Maggie's life with her Family.  They brought me smiles and tears. ... If interested, you can search YouTube for "leo811sf Chimpanzees" for more of my videos.

Related Posts: Look for the many Chimpanzee posts that follow this one.

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I used to use (search) labels, but too often forget.  I started noting "Hot Topic" in title, but fell lax on that.  Now I'm just going to add labels, keywords, etc., here at the bottom with hashtags.  Does it help in searches, who knows.

#SanFrancisco , #SanFranciscoZoo , #Zoos #SanFranciscoZoologicalSociety , #SanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #SanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed ,

#SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie

#AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees ,  #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence, #Pandas #Bison


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