San Francisco Zoo's Maggie, 55, dies from lymphoma

Maggie, a 55-year-old chimpanzee at the San Francisco Zoo, passed away this week after battling lymphoma and receiving palliative care. Described as a matriarch by the zoo's CEO Tanya Peterson, Maggie was known for maintaining harmony within her chimpanzee troop. Her death follows the recent loss of another great ape at the zoo, a mountain gorilla named Oscar Jonesy, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding animal care at the facility. Critics have previously pointed to inadequate living conditions for Maggie prior to a habitat expansion in 2019, with some calling the current troop size of five below the recommended minimum for chimpanzee social health. While Maggie exceeded the average lifespan for chimpanzees in captivity, her passing raises questions about the zoo's future management of its remaining chimpanzees. The zoo now faces potential challenges in replenishing its chimpanzee population to meet expert guidelines.