NEWS RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE

Sunset Zoo mourns the loss of a male White-handed gibbon

June 13, 2022 – Manhattan, KS

Primate keepers at the Sunset Zoo are mourning the loss of Dempsey, our male, white-handed gibbon. He would have been 22 years old this coming November. He was a great father, a protective mate, and beloved by the keeper staff that cared for him.

Dempsey was diagnosed with kidney disease in January of 2020. He was on daily medication and dietary changes to slow the disease progression. However, in January of 2022, it was determined during an annual physical that he had lost some weight and his kidney disease had progressed. In May, after keepers alerted the vet staff to more noticeable weight loss, blood was drawn, and it was determined that he was in renal failure. Since then, the animal care staff has been closely managing his condition by providing a specialized diet, administering medications via bananas or grapes, and noting his quality of life through daily physical and mental stability. 

Several days ago, keepers noticed that Dempsey was showing increased lethargy, decreased appetite, and a change in behavior towards his family, which was out of the ordinary. On June 10, veterinary staff anesthetized him and transported Dempsey to K-State Veterinary Health Center for further testing. Unfortunately, it was confirmed that Dempsey's kidneys had become nonfunctional. At that time, the difficult decision was made to humanly euthanize Dempsey due to the inevitable rapid decline leaving him with a poor quality of life.

Dempsey was born at Columbus Zoo on November 15, 2000. He came to the Sunset Zoo in April 2012 with his mate Leslie, our female white-handed gibbon. Together they produced two offspring, Tucker, in May 2017, and Neta, in April 2020. Traditionally, gibbons are grouped as a family and have one mate for life. Considering this important family structure and primates' ability to mourn, the family was given time to sit with Dempsey after his passing. Animal care staff will continue closely monitoring our gibbon family for any behavioral changes.

"When I first started working with the gibbons, Tucker had just been born, and Dempsey was a very protective father and mate. But as time went on, he and I developed a trust that ultimately led to a bond I never thought possible. As a dad, I loved watching Dempsey play and care for his kids. He truly was a great father. This loss is a devastating one for me for sure," said Robert Chase, primate Keeper at Sunset Zoo.

Many zoo animals participate in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan. The SSP is dedicated to aiding the survival and growth of the world's most endangered species. The Gibbon SSP determines which animals to breed by considering their genetic makeup, health, and personality, among other factors.

Gibbons are best known for their vocalizations—loud, complex duets used to defend territories, announce location and maintain pair bonds. These songs are unique to each family. These small apes are highly adapted to living in the dense forest canopy and are considered the fastest of the apes brachiating at over 30 MPH through the trees. Native to China, Vietnam, and the Lao People's Democratic Republic, white-handed gibbons are considered critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Populations have declined by more than 80% over the past 45 years due to habitat loss and fragmentation.

We ask that the public keep our zoo staff in their thoughts and feel free to share any photos or memories they may have of Dempsey and our Gibbon family on any of our social media pages. In addition, zoo guests can still visit Leslie, Tucker, and Neta in the lower tier of the Asian Forest Trail, where they remain on exhibit year-round.

About Sunset Zoo 

Home to over 150 amazing animals, Manhattan's Sunset Zoo offers a close-up view of some of nature's most fascinating wonders, including hyenas, cheetahs, flamingos, and jumping and hooting array of primates found throughout the 26-acre park. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) in 1989, Sunset Zoo is committed to upholding the highest standards of animal care and providing a fun, safe, and educational family experience. More about the AZA can be found here. 

Sunset Zoo is open 360 days a year. Summer hours are now in operation  April 1 -October 31 seven days a week from 9:30 am - 5 pm. During Winter Hours the Zoo is open November 1 - March 31 from 12 p.m.to 5 p.m. every day.  The Zoo is located at 2333 Oak Street. The Zoo is tucked inside the residential area near Manhattan High School's West Campus. 

 

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Below are pictures of Dempsey while at Sunset Zoo. 

Dempsey with Neta. Photo by Keeper Rob Chase



Dempsey liked to climb and play. Photo by Keeper Rob Chase. 


Dempsey with mate Leslie and new baby Neta.  Photo by Keeper Rob Chase.