Sunday, December 30, 2007

The world’s oldest orangutan dies at the age of 55

The world's oldest orangutan has died at the age of 55 leaving zoo staff devastated.

Record-breaking Nonja was found dead in her enclosure at Miami Metrozoo by her heartbroken keeper on Saturday.

Nonja - described as a "grand old dame" - was born on the Indonesian island of Sumatra and has lived at the Florida attraction since 1983.

Though she had become more frail in her old age, she'd still manage to fight off orangutans twice her size.  And reaching the ripe old age of 55 is no mean feat - it's about 15 years longer than expected.

"Everybody's very sad, especially with an animal like an orangutan," said Ron Magill, from the zoo. "You see a lot of yourself in these animals. The great apes are our closest relatives.

"She was really a grand old dame."

No comments:

eXTReMe Tracker