Tulsa Zoo Euthanizes Oldest Black Howler Monkey

Uly, a 31-year-old black howler monkey who lived at the Tulsa Zoo for 23 years, was euthanized because of irreversible kidney failure.

Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Wildlife

Tulsa Zoo Euthanizes Oldest Black Howler Monkey

The Tulsa Zoo euthanized Uly, a 31-year-old black howler monkey, after he developed irreversible kidney failure and age-related declines. The zoo announced his death on November 7, 2026.

Why it matters

Uly was one of the oldest black howler monkeys documented in human care, and his death ends a long tenure at the zoo. The decision reflects the zoo's effort to spare an animal whose quality of life had declined.

Uly was 31 years old and had lived at the Tulsa Zoo for 23 years before his euthanasia for irreversible kidney failure. He fathered six offspring and left one great-grandson, while the source does not give the date of his death.

The players

Tulsa Zoo

The Tulsa Zoo is a zoological institution in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that cares for a wide range of animal species and manages breeding and husbandry programs.

The details

Uly, a black howler monkey, was humanely euthanized after age-related declines and kidney failure that affected his quality of life, and he passed surrounded by his care team. The zoo's announcement described him as a long-time resident whose death marked the end of an extended stay in Tulsa.

Uly began living at the Tulsa Zoo 23 years before his death.
The Tulsa Zoo announced Uly's death on November 7, 2026.

Roadmap

Uly's 31-year lifespan places him among the oldest black howler monkeys recorded in human care, a benchmark that zoo husbandry programs track for the species. His case adds to the documented record of how long these primates can live under managed care.

Tulsa residents who visit the zoo may notice the absence of Uly, a long-time animal whose tenure spanned 23 years. The zoo's care decisions reflect how local institutions manage aging animals in their collections.

The takeaway

Uly's long life highlights the value of consistent veterinary care and quality-of-life decisions for aging animals in managed settings. Zoo visitors can appreciate how such choices protect the wellbeing of long-lived residents.