Banana Sam, SF Zoo Squirrel Monkey, Dies

Banana Sam, a San Francisco Zoo squirrel monkey who was kidnapped two years ago, died on Thursday.
Banana Sam, SF Zoo Squirrel Monkey, Dies
Jack Phillips
11/22/2013
Updated:
7/18/2015

Banana Sam, a San Francisco Zoo squirrel monkey who was kidnapped two years ago, died on Thursday.

He was 19 years old.

“With great sadness, the San Francisco Zoo announces the passing of the 19-year old squirrel monkey Banana Sam, on Thursday, November 21, 2013, from complications related to heart disease. Banana Sam became famous worldwide after intruders cut the wire at the squirrel monkey enclosure and took him during the night of December 30, 2011. He was returned safely to the Zoo one day later on New Year’s Eve,” the zoo said in a statement.

It added: “Banana Sam was part of a squirrel monkey troop of 20 that came to the Zoo in 2010 after funding for a local research program shut down. Banana Sam was a beloved member of the San Francisco Zoo and he will be missed by staff, volunteers, and visitors.”

According to the San Francisco Examiner, Banana Sam was one of 20 monkeys taken to the San Francisco Zoo.

Jack Phillips is a breaking news reporter with 15 years experience who started as a local New York City reporter. Having joined The Epoch Times' news team in 2009, Jack was born and raised near Modesto in California's Central Valley. Follow him on X: https://twitter.com/jackphillips5
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