Investigations ‘ongoing’ after gibbon dies suddenly at Assiniboine Park Zoo

Merrick the white-handed gibbon is shown in an undated photo at Assiniboine Park Zoo. (Assiniboine Park Zoo/Instagram)

Staff are still searching for answers after a gibbon died suddenly at Assiniboine Park Zoo.

According to the zoo, Merrick, the white-handed gibbon, died last week after a suspected illness. He was four years old.

Zoo staff said they are ‘truly heartbroken.’

“Merrick will be greatly missed here at the Zoo by members, volunteers, visitors, and staff,” the zoo wrote in a social media post.

According to the zoo, Merrick’s care team recently noticed he was eating less and seemed lethargic. They suspected an infection and began treating him with antibiotics and anti-inflammatories earlier this month.

The zoo said he was being closely monitored and taking his medication while staying with his gibbon family.

“Unfortunately, he continued to decline, and a few days later experienced a fall in his habitat. Despite intensive, around the clock veterinary care and treatments, he passed away,” the zoo said.

Further investigation into Merrick’s sudden change of health is ‘ongoing,’ the zoo said, which includes postmortem exams and screening for different infections and illnesses at specialized labs.

They hope these tests will give further insight into his condition.

“In the meantime, the animal care and veterinary teams are keeping a close eye on the rest of the gibbon family,” the post said.

According to staff, Merrick was born at the zoo to mom Maya and dad Samson—their second child.

He is described as brave, adventurous and ‘the typical middle child,’ acting as a rowdy little brother to Salju and an amazing big brother to Maavi.

“Merrick was a charismatic member of the gibbon family and was deeply loved by the animal care professionals who cared for him every day,” the post said.

This comes on the heels of the death of a senior polar bear at the zoo.

Staff said Agee died earlier this month after the geriatric bear suffered a sudden decline from a suspected kidney infection.

The zoo wrote on a social media post that while the timing of the two deaths has been unfortunate and difficult, they are completely unrelated.