Zoo Miami Celebrates Milestone Birthdays of Iconic Chimpanzees

Bubbles and Samantha, two of the oldest chimpanzees in North America, mark major anniversaries at the zoo.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Zoo Miami celebrated the milestone birthdays of two iconic chimpanzees, Bubbles and Samantha, who have called the zoo home since the early 1980s. Bubbles, at 63 years old, is the oldest chimpanzee under human care listed in ZIMS (Zoological Information Management Software) in North America, while 56-year-old Samantha is tied for third oldest. The zoo prepared a variety of festive treats, including a five-tier cake made from fruit, yogurt, and sweet-potato frosting, to mark the special occasion.

Why it matters

Chimpanzees are our closest living relatives, sharing more than 98% of our DNA, and are highly social animals renowned for their intelligence, tool use, and complex communication. However, they are currently listed as endangered, with habitat destruction and the bushmeat trade representing their greatest threats. The milestone birthdays of Bubbles and Samantha highlight the importance of conservation efforts and the role of zoos in educating the public about these remarkable creatures.

The details

Bubbles arrived at Zoo Miami (then known as Miami Metrozoo) in March 1982 as part of an agreement with the Louisville Zoo, while Samantha came to the zoo in November 1981 from a private individual. The two chimpanzees are among only a handful of animals at Zoo Miami that were born in the wild, most of whom are rescues that could not be returned to their natural habitat.

  • Bubbles arrived at Zoo Miami in March 1982.
  • Samantha arrived at Zoo Miami in November 1981.

The players

Bubbles

A 63-year-old chimpanzee, the oldest under human care listed in ZIMS (Zoological Information Management Software) in North America.

Samantha

A 56-year-old chimpanzee, tied for the third oldest chimpanzee under human care in North America.

Zoo Miami

The zoo where Bubbles and Samantha have lived since the early 1980s.

Louisville Zoo

The zoo that had an agreement with Zoo Miami to bring Bubbles to the facility.

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The takeaway

The milestone birthdays of Bubbles and Samantha, two of the oldest chimpanzees in North America, highlight the important role of zoos in conservation efforts and educating the public about these remarkable creatures, which are facing threats to their survival in the wild.