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Remember When, Chattanooga? Hank was the symbol, spirit of the city zoo

Staff File Photo / Chimpanzee Hank is seen at the Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park in 2006. Hank lived at the zoo from 1976-2011, when he died at age 42. Staff File Photo / Chimpanzee Hank is seen at the Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park in 2006. Hank lived at the zoo from 1976-2011, when he died at age 42.

By Lew Gilliland June 14, 2026 6 min read

He arrived in Chattanooga in 1976 and over the years became the most popular resident in his neighborhood. People loved his antics, and his birthday parties drew a crowd. Like many big stars, he was known simply by his first, and in this case only, name.

Hank the chimpanzee was a resident of the Chattanooga Zoo for more than 35 years, delighting visitors of all ages. He loved people, and people loved him. And by the time he died a little more than 15 years ago in January 2011, he had become both the symbol and the spirit of the place he called home.

“All he knew was people,” zoo President and CEO Darde Long said in a phone interview. “And so I think that’s why he reacted so well with them, and people really felt like he was connecting. And I think he was, because I think that was his favorite thing to do, is connect with people. He really couldn’t care less about other animals.”

Hank’s story began in Kenya, where he was one of six chimps captured after their mother was killed, according to Chattanooga Times Free Press archives. He was purchased in New York and became a sidekick for Bobo the Clown, aka the late Reuben Tarin. In the mid-1970s, Hank was donated to the Chattanooga Zoo.