Farewell to Burma, the Matriarch of Helen Brach Primate House

Visitors who walk the pathways on Lincoln Park Zoo’s South Lawn have often stopped to be fascinated by the residents of one particular habitat on the west side of Helen Brach Primate House. There, they would see two medium-sized primates—one black with white markings, one blonde with darker areas of hair. These beautiful animals could be seen brachiating through the trees, lounging in favorite spots, and sometimes singing duets with their ringing, melodious voices—especially in the mornings during these past few months.

This habitat is home to white-cheeked gibbons, small apes from Southeast Asia known for their differences in appearance based on age and sex. The black-and-white male, Murray, arrived in 2021. The blonde-colored female, Burma—who has been a zoo favorite since 1994—is no longer with us.

Photo by Lead Keeper, Primate House & Macaque Forest Shannon McElmeel.

Thirty-six-year-old Burma was considered geriatric (the median life expectancy of this species is 28.3 years) and was experiencing health concerns that were being monitored by her care team. On December 2, she underwent advanced imaging for additional assessment of several issues that had been previously identified.

Unfortunately, medical intervention was no longer appropriate. Thus, Animal Care and Veterinary staff made the difficult but responsible decision to euthanize her.

Burma was born on September 1, 1988. She came to Lincoln Park Zoo from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in 1994, when she was paired with her mate Caruso.

Caruso and Burma

The couple went on to have four offspring and four grand-offspring, as recommended by the White-cheeked Gibbon Species Survival Plan®.

After Caruso passed away in 2020 at age 30, Murray came to be her companion.

Burma’s long, eventful life is a testament to the skilled, affectionate care she received here. According to the keepers who adored her, “Burma loved carrot sticks, steamed sweet potato, and hard-boiled egg yolk, to which she would make the happiest gibbon noises. Burma would often toss her food in the air and catch it if it was something she was excited about.” She even had a secret hiding spot under the waterfall, but she loved to lie out in the sun.

Burma, considered the matriarch of the Primate House, was well-loved by everyone at Lincoln Park Zoo. She will be deeply missed.