THE BALLOON MAN

Oliver the famous chimp dies at San Antonio refuge, at least 55 

Credit: YouTube

by Associated Press

June 4, 2012

SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- A chimpanzee named Oliver known for his upright stature and humanlike traits has died at a Texas refuge.

Officials at Primarily Primates in San Antonio believe Oliver was at least 55 years old.

Caretakers found Oliver dead Saturday in his hammock. Sanctuary officials say the former circus performer was most blindly, had no teeth and suffered from arthritis.

Oliver had been at the Texas sanctuary since 1998, after being relocated from a research lab in Pennsylvania.

The sanctuary's website says Oliver was born in Africa and spent his early years displayed as the "Humanzee."

Experts at the University of Chicago who in 1996 did DNA studies on Oliver found no evidence of human chromosomes.

The chimp was the subject of a 2006 Discovery Channel documentary.

Primarily Primates recently posted a video to its website that shows Oliver eating a special Mother's Day brunch. According to the video information, the special meal was prepared to help keep Oliver fed because he often loses his appetite in his old age.

Published on May 16, 2012 by FriendsofAnimals

Oliver is about 55 years old -- quite old for a chimpanzee. His age is catching up with him and sometimes he loses his appetite for food. A special brunch was made for him to help keep him fed.