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Des Moines Zoo Says Monkey Sets Age Record

By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: Jun 16, 2009 at 12:48 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jun 16, 2009 at 1:54 PM CDT

DES MOINES (AP) - The Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines says a 35-year-old snow monkey known as "Baldy" is the oldest female ever with a confirmed birth date.

The monkey, officially a Japanese macaque, was born June 16, 1974, at the Texas Snow Monkey Sanctuary, then moved to the Minnesota Zoo. She came to the Blank Park Zoo in 1985.

The zoo's animal curator, Jeff Dier, says snow monkeys usually live 20 to 25 years. They are threatened in their homeland due to deforestation and the loss of habitat. Baldy remains healthy and an active member of the animals'
troop.

The zoo celebrated Baldy's birthday Tuesday by giving the animals brownies and cookies made of pumpkin, oatmeal, raisins, honey, sunflower seeds and peanuts.

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