'Wise and resilient matriarch' Mabel the chimpanzee dies aged 60

A zoo in Wales has announced the death of its oldest chimpanzee, Mabel, following a "short period of age-related decline".

Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay, Conwy, announced the death of the 60-year-old chimp on social media with "great sadness".

"Mabel will be greatly missed by everyone who was lucky enough to know and work with her," it said.

The zoo said Mabel was "part of life at Welsh Mountain Zoo for many years", and had made an "incredibly valuable contribution" to a breeding programme run by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) for the critically endangered Western chimpanzee.

"Her legacy will continue here at the zoo, through her son and his offspring," said a statement on social media.

"The animal team will remember Mabel as a true matriarch - wise, subtle, resilient."

The statement recalled how Mabel, in her younger years, was not afraid to be "a little cantankerous" but "took everything in her stride".

It added, despite her "wisdom and seniority", the elderly primate "always retained her playful side".

"Mabel leaves behind, not only an important legacy for her species, but also many memories for the people and chimpanzees who shared her life.

"She was a very special member of our zoo family and will be deeply missed."

The median average life expectancy for captive chimps is 31.7 years for males and 38.7 years for females.

The oldest recorded chimpanzee was Little Mamma, a captive female who was believed to be between 76 and 82 years old when she died in 2017.