THE Monkey Haven is mourning the loss of Crotchet, their beautiful black and white ruffed lemur.

Crotchet had been battling major health problems, including inoperable tumours.

A haven spokesperson said: "Unfortunately they proved too much for her, and she was put to sleep yesterday by the vet.

"She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her keepers."

Crotchet had reached the ripe old age of 19 without many problems, but started to go off her food and was drinking more than usual.

In March, the vet shaved her belly to carry out an examination and the check up found two large tumours, one in her stomach and one attached to her liver.

He could not remove them, due to their position.

One was the size of an egg, and the other the size of an orange.

Not long after her examination, she became very unwell and stopped eating.

Don Walser, founder of Monkey Haven, said primates grieve just like humans, showing signs of distress such as becoming withdrawn and going off their food.

In groups, they can hug and console each other after an animal dies.

Crotchet leaves her dad, Ren.

He said: “It’s sad as they always used to call – one would start and the other would join in.

"We’ll all miss her very much.”

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