Marco

At age 66 (or perhaps 67), Marco was the oldest great ape here at the Center and, in fact, likely the oldest male chimpanzee in North America.

We know that he was wild-caught in Africa and purchased as an infant in 1960 by a circus trainer. He was born either in 1959 or 1960. Marco spent 17 years performing in a circus act before living another 28 years in the backyard of his elderly trainer in South Carolina. When his owner brought him to us in 2005, he arrived in a small wooden crate in the back of an open pickup truck during a pouring rainstorm.

Marco was the smallest chimpanzee, at about 75-80 pounds (whereas most adult male chimps weigh between 130 and 170 pounds). His tiny stature may have been caused by rickets when he was purchased from Africa, but he had a solid, stocky build, and people often commented that the way he marched around looked almost like a miniature gorilla. He had pizazz and was always eager to greet people with a clap and a toss of a big toy in the air.

When he first came to the Center, he was introduced to several of the resident chimpanzees, but Marco was frightened by most of the much larger chimps (females, too). We then tried him with Butch, also a former wild-caught circus performer and small in stature. During their first two weeks together, Marco and Butch occupied the same larger habitat, but did not interact in any way… no contact at all.

Then, one day, we had a visit from a group of senior ladies who walked past the habitat, and I think their sudden presence startled both Marco and Butch! Each chimp let out a little scream and raced into the other’s arms for a comforting hug… and then they began grooming each other. From that point on, they have been best friends for over two decades, spending their days together playing, grooming, and resting.

Marco has had health issues over the past months and was being closely monitored by veterinary staff and caregivers to keep him comfortable and cared for. Marco’s favorite place to be was high atop the cupola in his domed habitat, where he loved to sit, nap, and quietly watch over the sanctuary. But in recent days, he had been too weak to make the climb.

However, in the afternoon that he passed, he seemed a little brighter, interacting gently with his caregivers and our veterinary staff. A short time later, he went over to the ladder, climbed to the very top of his beloved cupola, walked around the circle, taking in the view from every direction, and then lay down to rest. Not long afterward, he passed away peacefully in the place he loved most.