Miller Park Zoo announces death of De Brazza monkey

Posted on May 10, 2023

*Chumu first came to the zoo in 2021 from the San Diego Zoo to celebrate the opening of De Brazza Plaza. (Photo courtesy Miller Park Zoo)*

BLOOMINGTON – The Miller Park Zoo on Tuesday announced the unexpected loss of Chumu, a male De Brazza monkey.

According to a Miller Park Zoo press release, Chumu had been under observation and treatment for medical issues for several weeks.

While he was receiving a full physical exam, the veterinary team noticed Chumu was experiencing significant cardiac disease and was accumulating fluid around his heart.

Chumu died while under anesthesia. Preliminary observations indicate he died of cardiac failure.

While his exact age is unknown, records show that he was at least 18. The average De Brazza Monkey’s life expectancy is 15.

A full necropsy will be performed to better understand Chumu’s condition.

Chumu first came to the zoo in 2021 from the San Diego Zoo to celebrate the opening of De Brazza Plaza.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…