Belfast Zoo's Chimpanzee Tombe Dies From Probable Heart Attack

Tombe, a 28-year-old male chimpanzee, passed away unexpectedly on March 28, just three weeks after being relocated from Colchester Zoo to Belfast Zoo as part of a European Endangered Species Programme. Initial findings suggest that he died from a probable heart attack, although full postmortem results are pending. Colchester Zoo expressed deep sadness over the loss, highlighting Tombe's legacy as he sired a female chimpanzee, Talia, in 2009. Belfast Zoo staff described their heartbreak over Tombe's death while also noting that his companion, Tumba, has integrated well into the chimpanzee troop. The move was part of ongoing conservation efforts aimed at managing species populations, and both zoos are committed to the welfare of endangered species. The community has shown an outpouring of grief, with many expressing their sorrow on social media.