Oliver's Last Years & His Death in 2012
Oliver spent his last years with another Chimp, the gentle female known as Raisin. She was placed with Oliver for companionship since Oliver's advanced age and years as a test subject left him blind, arthritic and unable to interact daily with younger, more playful Chimps at the Sanctuary. He took part in regular enrichment activities including a watermelon smashing party documented on the Friends of Animals online Newsletter and even the chance to paint. Although elderly, Oliver had access to the outdoors and lived the rest of his life in quiet retirement. News of Oliver as well as photos were often posted online by his caregivers, owing to public interest. Oliver died peacefully in his sleep and was found on 2 June 2012 in his favorite sleeping hammock with his loving female chimp companion, Raisin, at his side. Stephen Rene Tello, executive director of Primarily Primates, states that Oliver will be cremated and his ashes spread on the grounds of the Sanctuary.
Read more about this topic: Oliver (chimpanzee)
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