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PEORIA (June 12, 2025) – The Peoria Zoo is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Butch, its beloved 52-year-old black-handed spider monkey and the oldest known of his species.
Black-handed spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) median life expectancy is 27 years, but they can live longer in managed care. They are listed as endangered under the IUCN Red List and with the USFWS and are under appendix II of CITES and are part of an AZA Species Survival Plan.
Butch was born in 1973 and donated to Bergen County Zoo in Paramus, NJ in 1977 before being transferred to the Zoo on May 20, 1981. Butch spent over five decades inspiring generations of visitors, students, and animal lovers. Throughout his years, Butch became a symbol of longevity and resilience, delighting multiple generations of Zoo visitors.
Throughout his time at Peoria Zoo, Butch shared his life with four female companions: Agnes (1974–2020), Gracie (1983–2014), Sammie (1976–1986), and most recently Darla (1997–present). He fathered two offspring: a daughter, Eva, born on December 31, 1984 (with Agnes), and a son, Dutch, born on December 2, 2000 (with Darla).
In recent years, Butch and Darla moved into a new outdoor habitat—a milestone in the Zoo’s long-term animal-welfare plan—where they could climb, explore, and bask in the fresh air. This enriched environment brought natural stimulation and joy to both animals and guests.
Below are staff comments/quotes:
- “Butch was more than an animal in our care; he was an ambassador for his species and a living link to the Zoo’s history,” said Max Lakes, Peoria Zoo Director. “His incredible story—spanning more than half a century—touched the lives of countless visitors and underscored our mission to create connections that inspire conservation.”
- " Butch brought joy to all who had the pleasure of knowing him, he was engaging and quirky, regularly seeking out interactions with people," stated Dawn Petefish, Assistant Zoo Director and Curator of Collections. "Without fail, I was greeted by Butch’s heartwarming chirp every day of my 36 year career at the Peoria Zoo and I, as did every other staff member who was lucky enough to receive the greeting, chirped right back! You couldn’t help but feel special when he singled you out. It is truly a privilege to have had such a close relationship that comes from caring for an animal for so many years. Butch’s age is very close to my own, I knew him during the young mischievous times, I knew him as a father, and finally I knew him during the days of taking longer naps. It is incredibly difficult to express the impact he had on mine and so many other lives, I will miss my “morning chirps” but I am so honored to have heard them so many, many times."
- “I’m thankful that I got to be a part of Butch’s incredibly long life. Many guests I spoke to were shocked to find out that he was almost 53, since even at his age, he was still swinging around his exhibit with ease and interacting with keepers and guests throughout the day," stated Cassie, Butch's primary keeper. "He especially enjoyed using his prehensile tail to play with his keepers. If he was not on the ground interacting with guests, he was often snuggled up in the tree with his mate, Darla. Butch was loved by all of the zoo staff and we will certainly miss hearing his chirps greeting us in the morning.”
- From Paul, Butch's primary keeper for 20 years: "With his morning greetings, energic play, stubborn thievery and charming personality, Butch has established many memories throughout multiple generations of staff and guests of the Peoria Zoo. It was never a dull day working with Butch from rescuing new staff from his hairstyling techniques, cleaning up spills that he’d help interns create, telling me it was time to get new glasses, showing how he would be the best American Ninja Warrior, or just staring into your soul with his beautiful blue eyes. He was a verifiable ambassador of his species through the people he has reached and will never be forgotten."
Details on a public tribute and how to participate will be available at the Zoo and online in the coming days.
Staff is working with the AZA Species Survival Plan (SSP) to determine the future of the black-handed spider monkey population at Peoria Zoo. Darla, Butch’s longtime companion, remains at Peoria Zoo on exhibit in the Tropics Building. As Darla spent decades with Butch at the Zoo, staff are ensuring she has additional enrichment and care while they await for recommendations from the SSP.
Butch’s remarkable life reminds us of the powerful connections we form with animals—and the role each of us plays in protecting wildlife for generations to come.
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