Popular chimpanzee at Honolulu Zoo dies

Ke‘aloha, a male chimpanzee who was born at Hono­lulu Zoo and became a favorite of visitors, has died.

The 18-year-old, known as Kea, died Friday morning at the zoo’s veterinary clinic after showing signs of illness.

Kea was taken to the clinic Tuesday for examination.

Zoo officials said Kea, who was lethargic, did not respond to medications.

Chimpanzees can live to be 40 years old, and Kea was regarded as being in early adulthood, said Randy Leong, deputy director of the city Department of Enterprise Services.

A preliminary examination on Thursday confirmed Kea had liver and kidney diseases, as well as a stone in his bladder, Leong said.

Leong said the veterinarian gave medication to Kea, and he was returned to his sleeping quarters.

But Leong said the animal began showing neurological problems later Thursday, including eye twitching.

His parents, Roscoe and Kumi, and his older brother, Kibale, reside at the zoo in a chimpanzee community of five males and three females.

Leong said zoo staff members made efforts to allow the chimpanzee community to express loss and appropriate grieving behaviors. Kea’s body was put on a stretcher and placed in a holding area accessible by the chimpanzees and later taken away.

"The members got very, very quiet. They were very mournful and sad at the loss," Leong said.

He said liver and kidney diseases are not contagious and do not pose a threat to any other animals, as far as the possible spread of a virus.

Officials said extensive laboratory tests taken during the period when Kea began showing signs of illness are being reviewed.