Pete is one of our longest animal residents!

We are sharing some bittersweet news today: Pete the siamang, a Zoo resident for 28 years, will be moving to a new home at another Zoo in the next few weeks. While it’s always hard to say “see you later” to an animal resident, especially one as well-loved as Pete, we believe this new home will better meet Pete’s social needs.  

In January, we shared that Pete’s partner of 41 years, Sapphire, passed away. While 47-year-old Pete has held up well without Sapphire, this species does well with a companion. We believe it’s in Pete’s best interest to try to pair him with another female partner.  

Pete will be moving to the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, Louisiana. This fellow Association of Zoos and Aquariums organization is home to a 40-year-old female siamang, Syndi, who lost her longtime partner last year. Introducing primates is a little unpredictable, but we hope the two will become fast friends.  

If for some reason the two do not get along, we are prepared to welcome him back to our Zoo. To help with the initial introductions between Pete, Syndi and his new animal care team, members of Pete’s Brevard Zoo animal care team will accompany him for a time.  

Pete moved to our Zoo in 1997, and he has touched the hearts of many of the keepers who cared for him over the years. Pete was actually born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1977.  

His animal care team at Brevard Zoo will remember him as a sweet, gentle and inquisitive individual.  

Guests could always tell Pete and Sapphire apart by watching how they utilize the rope vine to get to their night house – Pete would always tight-rope walk across, shared Africa platform area supervisor Alyssa Simon.   

“We are sad to see him go but we are so excited for him to have a companion again,” Alyssa said. 

Pete took a backseat to his partner Sapphire, but since her passing, he’s become much more assertive, said senior keeper Cindy Watson. One morning, she gave him his breakfast wrapped in newspaper.  

“He opened the newspaper, looked at what food items were there, looked straight at me and then threw the entire thing into the river! Pete wanted something else for breakfast apparently!,” Cindy shared.   

Wild Florida keeper Mallory Bourne would like us all to remember that Pete received a “Zooperlative” for Best Celebrity Lookalike (the Beatles) for his perfectly styled hair. She will also fondly remember his perfect duet with Sapphire – and his high note will always be a favorite of hers.   

“No matter how long it’s been since you’ve last seen him, he’ll still come up to say hi to his past keepers and I cherish that when I go visit him,” Mallory said.   

We are committed to ensuring all our animal residents live the best lives possible. Sometimes this means finding them a new home that better fits their needs. We wish Pete well at his next home, and we look forward to watching him thrive from afar!