The St. Maarten Zoo lost its oldest inhabitant this week. Our male baboon, Jacko, died quietly in his sleep.
We are not sure of his age but we believe him to be at least 25 years of age.
Baboons in captivity have been known to live up to 45 years, while in the wild their life expectancy is about 25 - 30 years.
Jacko was brought to the island as an adult baboon by Mr. Max Phelipa. The Zoo in Aruba donated Jacko to Mr. Phelipa's small zoo which he had in his yard on Front Street.
Jacko was a year and a half at the time.
Jacko lived there for about a year or so until the St. Maarten Zoo was opened in 1991.
Then Jacko and his family moved into a large comfortable enclosure at the new zoo.
They enjoyed many years of comfort there.
Over the years the other baboons died, and Jacko was left alone in his exhibit.
We know he was lonely and missed his family, but we are glad Jacko had so many years with us at the Zoo.
We know many people on the island remember going to the Zoo as children and seeing Jacko there.
We are sad to lose him but we are grateful he lived to such a good age.
Rest in Peace Jacko!