A gibbon, one of the Racine Zoo’s longest-living residents, has died

According to a zoo press release, Yule and his daughter Robin first arrived at the Racine Zoo in 1986. Yule was 58 years old when he died, well beyond the species’ typical life expectancy of about 30 years. He was the oldest living white-handed gibbon in a zoo accredited by Association of Zoos and Aquariums by at least two years and has entries regarding the oldest gibbon in the association’s files.

Due to his advanced age, Yule was closely monitored by the zoo’s veterinary and animal care staff. A “slow, normal decline” was evident, but this summer Yule began having difficulty using his right arm and leg, the release said. Because his condition was incurable, on October 22, the staff decided to humanely euthanize Yule.

Yule was well known around the zoo for his loud vocalizations, which were studied by local researchers at Carthage College, according to the release. “They found that while playing with his daughter, Yule was using a unique ‘bleating’ vocalization – one that is usually only heard in baby gibbons.” His “sweet, caring” relationship with his daughter earned him the nickname “Papa Yule” among his caregivers.