Zoo says goodbye to "larger than life" George the gibbon

Wednesday 29 August 2018

A "larger than life" circus gibbon who later became one of Jersey Zoo's best loved residents has died at the age of 38.

White-handed gibbon George - a favourite among staff, visitors and volunteers - was put to sleep yesterday after feeling unwell for several days.

Zoo staff said that George, who had been at Jersey Zoo for over 20 years with his partner Hazel, had become increasingly lethargic and lost his appetite over the past few days.

Pictured: George, " a larger than life character," was a favourite among staff, volunteers and visitors.

The zoo's veterinary team and keepers teamed up to save the beloved gibbon, delivering expert care and keeping a close eye on him. George sadly didn’t respond to treatment and his health declined rapidly.

Due to George's advanced age - he was believed to be around 38 - and other health issues, the prognosis was poor and the team decided that the best course of action was to put him to sleep. 

Pictured: George was very fond of acrobatics.

Dom Wormell, Head of Mammals at Jersey Zoo, said: “He was a truly wonderful, larger than life character, whose extraordinary acrobatics on the ropes were a sight to behold.

"He was a great favourite with staff, visitors and volunteers who will be very sad to see him go and we will all miss the beautiful chorus of song that would echo around the zoo as the pair of them flew spectacularly through the air.”

Pictured: George and his partner Hazel arrived in Jersey in 1997.

While his exact age is not known, it is estimated George was born in 1980. He spent his early years at Chipperfield Circus until the circus donated him to Fota Zoo in Ireland in 1983. He spent five years there before moving to Dublin Zoo. 

George and his partner Hazel came to Jersey Zoo from Twycross Zoo in 1997. The pair had one son shortly after moving to Jersey. George also has three surviving grandsons, who live at Drusillas Zoo Park in East Sussex.