The chimpanzee Tomy, one of the most recognized animals at the Bioparque de La Plata, died this Wednesday at the age of 49.
He had arrived at the then zoo in January 1980, at just three years old, as part of an exchange with the Thyany Circus. Since then, he became a symbol of the city and a protagonist in debates about the treatment and rights of animals in captivity.
A life in captivity
For more than four decades, Tomy lived in the biopark’s enclosure, accompanied by caretakers who considered him part of their family.
- His historical caretaker, Martín Guillermo Davids, defined him as “his adopted son” and promoted a campaign to declare him a “subject of Rights”.
- The goal was for the Municipality of La Plata to recognize his special condition and allow him to remain in the place where he had spent most of his life.
- Tomy lived with humans and some peers in captivity, but his behaviors were incompatible with chimpanzees that had lived in freedom.
Loneliness and bonds
Tomy spent long periods alone, and a fight with another male left him hospitalized. The possibility of moving him to a natural sanctuary was set aside, although it was part of the program “A zoo-sanctuary for non-human hominids”.
His closest bond was with Judy, a 37-year-old chimpanzee who died in 2019. They lived together since 2001, and her death also took the community by surprise.
A legal and ethical debate
Tomy’s case became a reference within discussions about the legal status of animals in captivity.
- The campaign to declare him a “non-human subject of rights” sought to set a precedent in the protection of hominids in zoos and bioparks.
- The initiative was inspired by precedents like that of Judy, whose caretaker requested to keep her remains.
- Martín, Tomy’s caretaker, also expressed his wish for the chimpanzee’s remains to be handed over so that, in the future, they could rest together.
An unexpected end
The Biopark staff reported that Tomy was not suffering from any previous illnesses or ailments. He was under veterinary monitoring, but there were no warning signs. He was found lifeless in his enclosure around 1 PM, in an event that shocked the local community and those who considered him part of the place’s history.
Tomy’s death marks the end of an era at the Bioparque de La Plata and reignites the debate about animal welfare in captivity and the recognition of rights for species considered close to humans. His story reflects both the prolonged coexistence with humans and the ethical and legal tensions that permeate the conservation and treatment of animals in zoos.
