Delhi zoo’s oldest chimpanzee now in record books

NEW DELHI: Delhi zoo’s oldest chimpanzee, 57-year-old Rita, has now been recognised as the oldest chimpanzee in the country, according to the Limca Book of Records. Rita came from Amsterdam zoo as part of an exchange of demoiselle cranes in 1964. She was inducted in the record book on Thursday, with the certificate stating, “Rita, an inmate of Delhi zoo is India’s oldest chimpanzee and probably the oldest in Asia.”
Delhi zoo director Renu Singh said the zoo had applied for the certification last year and the confirmation was received earlier this month. The Limca Book of Records carried out the basic record checks across zoological parks in the country before confirming. “Most chimpanzees don’t live beyond the age of 50 with their lifespan ranging from 40 to 50 years. Rita has lived well past that and continues to flourish here,” said Singh.

Rita became a star attraction in 2017 when zoo visitors celebrated her birthday, which included a cake-cutting ceremony. Cut-outs of Rita and a large display screen had been put outside her enclosure, showcasing her each move.

Rita was paired with a male chimpanzee Max at Delhi zoo. She was loaned to Chhatbir zoo in Punjab in 1985 but returned to the Delhi zoo again in 2006.