The oldest known chimpanzee named Joao is a true long-liver among his peers: he is already over 80 years old.
Joao was born in the 1940s. He initially lived in a circus in Mozambique and then spent nearly 45 years in solitude. In 2006, he was transferred to the Chimp Eden sanctuary in South Africa, where he became part of a group and took on a special role in the community — acting as a surrogate caregiver for the young, teaching discipline and caring for inexperienced peers.
Unlike wild chimpanzees, whose average lifespan is 30–40 years, with a maximum of about 50–60, chimpanzees in captivity live significantly longer due to safe conditions, regular nutrition, and veterinary care. For instance, another famous long-liver, a female named Little Mama, lived to be about 77 years old, while in Europe, a chimpanzee named Koko celebrated her 58th birthday and became a grandmother to 19 descendants.
Studying such long-livers helps scientists better understand the aging processes, social behavior of primates, and their evolutionary connections to humans. Joao is living proof that a favorable environment can significantly extend the life of even species known for their resilience and longevity.
