(Image Credit: Marianne Hale)

Banana Sam, the monkey that gained world notoriety after he was abducted from the San Francisco Zoo, has died at 19 years old.

The San Francisco Zoo said the black and orange squirrel monkey passed away on Thursday from complications related to heart disease.

"Banana Sam was a beloved member of the San Francisco Zoo and he will be missed by staff, volunteers, and visitors," the zoo said in a statement.

The squirrel monkey was the subject of a harrowing search two years ago when he was reported missing from his enclosure on Dec. 30, 2011.

Zoo officials quickly found signs of a break-in: two holes cut in the wire mesh cage and the chain on the perimeter fence cut.

The monkey-hunt came to an end on New Year's Eve when Banana Sam was safely returned to the zoo.