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[Josh Greenman <josh.greenman AT gmail.com>]

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/life-can-cruel-in-those-challenging-senior-moments-20100621-ysdg.html

Life can be cruel in those challenging senior moments

June 22, 2010

GROWING old can be a frustrating and undignified journey. And it isn't
only humans who have to endure the indignity of old age. Bessie, a
60-year-old chimpanzee at Taronga Zoo, is showing signs of dementia.

Her walk is slowing down and so is her mind. She often forgets to go
inside her enclosure at night, and can lose her bearings during the
day.

The zoo's primate manager, Louise Grossfeldt, said Bessie's condition
had not happened overnight. It had been a slow deterioration over 18
years.
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She is one of three elderly female chimpanzees at the zoo; all have
far surpassed the 40 to 45 years that chimps normally reach. The trio
are among the world's oldest living chimps.

The animals' longevity was the result of improved nutrition and
husbandry, Ms Grossfeldt said.

But just like humans, who are living longer but succumbing in
increasing numbers to degenerative diseases, chimpanzees are also
becoming victims of ageing. And, as many elderly people will attest,
old age can be a curse.

Lulu, 58, is being treated for arthritis and Spitter, 50, is suffering
from an acute case of impatience, and gets annoyed with the young
ones.

Chimpanzees, along with bonobos, are the closest living relatives of humans.

One Taronga chimp, Fifi, who died in 2007 aged 60, had ceased to swell
each month, the equivalent of menopause in humans.

''We'd never see that in the wild,'' Ms Grossfeldt said.

Despite their ailments, the three old girls were treated with
tolerance and respect by the most of the chimps at the zoo.

However, the rogue teenagers could cause problems.

''They'll run up and hit [Bessie] on the back of the head and then run
off, or they'll try and take her food.''