Sudden loss for Rockhampton Zoo family

Published on 22 February 2024

It is with much sadness that Rockhampton Regional Council announces the sudden and unexpected passing of Rockhampton Zoo’s female chimpanzee, Samantha, which occurred yesterday afternoon.

Samantha was seen to be enjoying her dinner and acting normally in the night house in the late afternoon and was found unresponsive 20 minutes later.

In 2020, a heart specialist identified that Samantha had early stage heart disease, and due to the suddenness of her passing, it is suspected that Samantha’s cause of death was from a heart attack.

An autopsy has been conducted and the cause of death will be known once these results are received.

In late 2022, Samantha took on the surrogate mother role for Gandali, who lost his mother, Holly. Now four years old, Gandali shares a very close bond with his father Alon who will no doubt provide guidance and comfort to Gandali.  

Samantha, was 40 years old.

Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the Rockhampton Zoo team and the troop during this extremely sad time.