Hank the Chimp Dies

Chattanooga joins the city's zoo in mourning its best-known occupant.  Hank the chimpanzee died Monday at the age of 42.  He joined the zoo in 1976, and since then he's become their most famous face.  Hank has entertained visitors through the glass and through generations, up until his death Monday morning.

The faces of the chimps show their sadness, either huddled together, or just sitting alone.  They don't walk or play, just mourn their longtime friend Hank.  Zoo visitor Kimberly Clampet says, "He's probably the most recognized animal at the zoo."

Viewers are sharing their memorable pictures of Hank. Click HERE to view the Slideshow. You can e-mail your photos to producers@newschannel9.com.

Both visitors and staff came to the zoo to see the familiar face, and wait for his kisses.  Even little Camebre, barely old enough to talk, knew Hank.  He was known for playing with people more than chumming with the other chimps.  Kimberly Clampet says, "It's awful, that's one of the reasons we came to the zoo so often was to visit him, he would always come up to the glass and give her kisses."

Chattanooga Zoo Director Darde Long tells us Hank was entertaining as usual Sunday, and seemed fine, but passed away overnight.  "He made a lot of people feel very special, which is why it's hard to lose an animal like that."

He came to the zoo in 1976, before that, he belonged to Eddie Moses' family.  He explained, "Bobo the clown came by and wanted us to keep him for a few days, Bobo never returned."

For the next 10 years, Hank stayed with Eddie, who was then in his early twenties, with a new primate as a pal.  "I put him in the pickup and we went for hamburgers at shake shack on Highway 64."

Eventually, he donated Hank to the zoo, but went back often to visit.  He couldn't believe the news of his friend's death this morning.  "I was crushed, that was a friend of mine and Hank always remembered us."

Now his previous owners, current ones, and the many who made friends with the chimp still love Hank.  And they will miss the primate's prescence, and the love he shared with Chattanooga.  Moses adds, "I'm proud of him, he lived a long and fruitful life."

Hank's body has been sent for a necropsy to find out his cause of death.  The Zoo tells us they will celebrate Hank's memory sometime soon.

Viewers are sharing their memorable pictures of Hank. Click HERE to view the Slideshow. You can e-mail your photos to producers@newschannel9.com.

We last featured Hank last summer when he celebrated his latest birthday. You can read that story here, including word that he had developed diabetes.

Depend on NewsChannel9 for new information on this developing story as soon as we get it.