Kakowet, whose name comes from the sound of the French word for peanut, came from the Leopoldville Zoo in the Congo Republic, where he was doted on and given special privileges by Leopoldville Zoo manager Willy Peeters. Kakowet was donated to the San Diego Zoo, and on his flight to the U.S., he was even given the run of the plane and befriended the crew! Once he arrived in San Diego in June 1960, he settled into his new home in the Children's Zoo, and he charmed his way into everyone's affections there, too. And he had plenty of playmates—the little "peanut" spent his younger days as part of a fearsome foursome in the Children's Zoo: he was joined by youngsters Trib, the western lowland gorilla, Roberta, the orangutan, and Cindy, the chimpanzee. One story about Kakowet was a bit of a mystery for a while. There were times when he would break out into allergic hives and clearly not feel well. His diet hadn't changed, and the attendants and veterinarians couldn't figure out what the problem was. Then one day, the little imp was caught nonchalantly stepping out of the exhibit in the Children's Zoo, ambling across the way, and helping himself to the fruit of a natal plum tree. He then went right back, as if nothing had happened. Sure enough, he broke out into hives. Mystery solved! But the tree had to be moved, because everyone knew that it wasn't likely that Kakowet would change his wandering ways.