APPLE VALLEY — The Minnesota Zoo is preparing a birthday party for Nikko, a 31-year-old snow monkey that’s believed to be the oldest in North America.

Zoo officials will give him birthday presents, or “enrichment items,” this morning.

Nikko was born in September 1983 and has been at the Minnesota Zoo since 2001.

Zoo spokesman Tom Ness said Nikko has always been “laid back” and helps maintain peace within the troop. Ness speculates that Nikko’s gentle personality has helped him survive almost twice as long as a typical male.

Nikko is believed to be the third-oldest snow monkey in the world. The oldest two are both 34 and live in the Czech Republic.