Sad news One of, if not the oldest and well known animals in the group and she did not even get to see the new enclosure. Was she the only one that could evade the hotwires surrounding the trees to get to the leaves?
I always had a soft spot for Bessie, probably a combination of her big ears and floppy lower lip made her ... attractive in a weird way, I guess. When I worked at Taronga the younger chimps (Sandali, Chimbuka, Kamili) use to take advantage of her age, running past her and slapping her on the way. It would take a second for her to realise what was happening and then she'd look around in anger, but by then they'd have gone. I guess Lulu is the elder of the group now, she was only a year or two younger than Bessie. Hix
I must have my facts wrong then (as usual ). I thought he was approx 35 but he is only around 20. Now Lulu takes over in age followed by Spitter, but does anyone know the age for the chimps younger than Spitter but not born within the last 10 years (if it is confusing I mean the chimps over 10 years old)
What a good old girl and a founder member of that group of her line being the 'great' grandmother she probably became.Bessie along with the 30 strong group that was at Taronga in the late eighties and early nineties taught me loads about chimps.I offer my sympathy to the keepers and family members that remain.She had a good innings and will be remembered.Onya Bessie.
Gradually the 'founders' of the group are passing away leaving the younger generation around. Now there are 18 chimps at Taronga with 2 almost the same age as Bessie. The saddest thing is that she never got to see the new exhibit and her family enjoy it.
