San Francisco Zoo Bids Farewell to Last Chimpanzees, Shifts Focus to Orangutan Conservation

The San Francisco Zoo has announced it will be rehoming its last three chimpanzees, marking the end of an era for the program. The decision to move "Twiggy" to the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore was influenced by the belief that she would integrate well with two chimps she already knew, as detailed in a social media post from the San Francisco Zoo. According to the zoo's statement, Twiggy's departure will be followed by the future relocation of the bonded pair, "Gombus" and "Michael." Zoo officials have also decided to temporarily pause the chimpanzee program as they shift their focus heavily towards the conservation of the critically endangered Bornean orangutan. This pivot follows the losses of three chimpanzees over the past few years, leaving the zoo with a diminished troop. Cobby, a celebrated male chimpanzee, passed away in 2021 at the age of 61, followed by Minnie in 2024, and Maggie this year, as KRON4 reported. Senior Curator of Mammals at SF Zoo, Robbie Graham, outlined the emotional impact of Twiggy's move, stating, "Twiggy has become a favorite among staff and guests here, but when a request of this nature comes in, we want to do what is best for the animal," which KRON4 reported. The zoo is now actively seeking a new home for the bonded chimp pair, Gombus and Michael, while planning to bring in another female orangutan to participate in the Species Survival Plan for Orangutans’ breeding program.