The Uganda tourism fraternity and Wildlife conservanists both Uganda and globally are in mourn for the death of Zakayo, one of the most long lived Chimpanzee in Uganda.

Zakayo passed on at the age of 54. He is said to have been rescued by a white man who kept him until 14 then surrendered him to Uganda Wildlife Education centre at Entebbe in 1976 making him the chief in the zoo where he trained two male Chimpanzees Matooke and Aluma as he stayed there for 42 years till he was over thrown in a coup by Matooke.

Zakayo was confirmed dead on Thursday after he succumbed to Chronic Gastroenteritis due to his old age.

At the time of his passing, Zakayo was the most famous chimpanzee in the country. Chimpanzees according to statistics have a life span of 60 years in captivity and 45 in the wild.

Burial takes place this Saturday at Uganda Wildlife Education Centre 6:00PM

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