Spidey, the spider monkey at Great Bend’s Brit Spaugh Zoo, will turn 50 years old this month. Spidey is believed to be the second-oldest living spider monkey in the world.
Zoo Director Nicole Benz said the staff will celebrate the occasion from 2-5 p.m. on  Saturday, Jan. 17, with cake, coffee and tours in the back area where Spidey stays during cold weather.
The public is invited to the celebration, and can also help the zoo prepare for the birthday party, Benz said. Staff members are creating a slide show and they are requesting people to share their photos of Spidey through the years. People are also invited to include any stories or fond memories they may have. Send items to Nicole@greatbendzoo.com.
“We are extremely excited about Spidey turning 50 and want everyone to join in the fun,” Benz said. “Not only is it an honor to have the second oldest living spider monkey, but we know the public has many fond memories of him we want to be sure and share.”
Fort Rickey Children’s Discovery Zoo in Rome, N.Y., claims to have the oldest spider monkey, Gummy, who will turn 53 years old this year.
The El Paso Zoo in Texas thought their spider money, Angel, was the second oldest, until her death in 2013. According to Examiner.com, “Angel arrived at the El Paso Zoo in 1969. She had three offspring and two grand-offspring.
“The 47-year-old monkey was reported to be the second-oldest in the world, according to International Species Information System (ISIS), which provides information about living animals in zoological facilities around the world. ISIS says the life expectancy for spider monkeys in an environment-controlled zoo setting is 40 to 50 years.”