Belfast Zoo mourns the loss of Tombe the Chimpanzee

We are saddened to share that Tombe, one of our male chimpanzees, passed away on 28 March 2025. Initial findings suggest a probable heart attack, but we are awaiting full postmortem results.

Tombe was welcomed to Belfast Zoo just three weeks ago with his companion, Tumba, as part of a coordinated European-wide conservation programme. While his time with us was short, he was settling in well and we are pleased to share that Tumba has integrated into the wider chimpanzee troop, where he is thriving. Our team continues to closely monitor the troop to ensure their well-being and support Tumba’s ongoing transition.

Belfast Zoo has a long history of caring for chimpanzees and remains committed to the conservation and welfare of this endangered species.

Tombe will be deeply missed by his keepers and everyone who cared for him. We would like to extend our thanks to the team at Colchester Zoo, who cared for Tombe for 28 years and to our veterinary and animal care teams for their dedication throughout his transition.