Wahpeton zoo's gibbon named Jonesy dies

WAHPETON, N.D. (AP) — Staff at Wahpeton's Chahinkapa Zoo are mourning the loss of a white handed gibbon who died of heart failure this week.

Director Kathy Diekman tells the Wahpeton Daily News that the 43-year-old Jonesy was born in the wild and rescued from his deforested habitat in the early 1970s. He was donated by New York's Bronx Zoo to Chahinkapa Zoo in 1995.

Jonesy and his mate, Holly, raised nine offspring during his lifespan.

Diekman says Jonesy was a favorite of visitors and the staff. He was also an important primate in the conservation world due to his pure bloodline and significance in the captive breeding program,

The histology report on Jonesy may provide more clues as to the cause of his death. The report hasn't yet been received.

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