by BECKY GOFF
Little Apple Post
MANHATTAN - The Sunset Zoo celebrated the 69th birthday of it's oldest chimpanzee, Susie last week.
Suzie is the oldest known chimpanzee in human care, with the average age of wild chimpanzees being closer to 40 years of age.
Suzie came to the Sunset Zoo in 1974 and is the matriarch of the troop. She has three babies, with the most recent one, Siri being born when Suzie was 56 years old.
The birth of Siri became the first documented birth by a chimpanzee at age 56, it was unknown that chimpanzee were able to reproduce at that age until this occurred.
Visitors will notice Susie as the chimpanzee who will approach babies and young children near the glass.
Susie's signature 'kiss' is something she shares with visitors and keepers she recognizes.