We have some horrible news for you, folks. Banana Sam, the 19-year-old world-famous squirrel monkey who was kidnapped in 2011, died on Thursday. He was 19.
Via SF Zoo's press release:
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.Even though Banana Sam was only at the Zoo for just under four years, his story has become San Francisco lore. 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.
If you recall, the then 17-year-old, 2-pound monkey was stolen from his zoo habitat days before New Year's Eve. The cretins (who have yet to be caught by the fuzz) climbed a roof after the zoo closed, cut through netting, and swiped Banana Sam. He was found a few days later by someone in Stern Grove, who coaxed him into a backpack and returned him to the zoo. His story received national media attention. It also sparked this locally popular Twitter account.