A great, great grandma orangutan named Martha has died aged 59
The ape’s death has left zoo staff heartbroken.
Bornean orangutans have a life expectancy of 40.
However, Martha exceeded this by almost 20 years.
She was known as the “grand old lady of Chester Zoo” – where she spent 58 years of her life.
The species are considered critically endangered in the wild
This is because of illegal hunting and their rainforest habitat being destroyed .
Martha was orphaned as a baby.
She was raised by an early pioneering orangutan conservationist Barbara Harrison.
Harrison helped to set up the first orangutan rehabilitation centre in Borneo.
Martha moved to Chester Zoo in 1966, aged one.
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She became an influential part of the international conservation breeding programme working to ensure a safety-net population of Bornean orangutans.
Martha was in good health for most of her life.
But in the last few years, she developed age-related health complications.
She received daily medication and intensive geriatric care.
She even received innovative laser treatment for her arthritis.
But sadly, following a deterioration of her condition in recent months, the tough decision was made to put her to sleep.
Martha lived alongside her two daughters Sarikei and Leia, alongside their own offspring Dot and a young female born in September 2023.
A small genetic tissue sample from Martha will be cryogenically frozen.
It will be stored away with the Zoo’s partner charity, Nature Safe.
This is to help preserve future options for conservation.
The frozen tissue samples could go on to help restore lost genetic diversity in animal species threatened with extinction.
It could potentially offer a vital lifeline for Bornean orangutans in the future.
Mark Brayshaw, who is the head of Mammals at Chester Zoo said: “Martha played a fundamental role in establishing the global conservation breeding programme for Bornean orangutans, giving birth to two daughters.
”With 29 descendants around the world, she’s had a truly remarkable impact on the future of her species.”
“The enormous loss of rainforest habitat on the island of Borneo, to make way for agriculture, logging and unsustainable oil palm plantations, coupled with illegal hunting and conflict with farmers has led to a huge decline in Bornean orangutan numbers.
”As a result, the species is listed as Critically Endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN’s) Red List.
“Conservationists from the zoo and across the world continue to try and secure a brighter future for the Bornean orangutan – from conservation breeding in Chester; to reforestation projects in Borneo; to mitigating human-orangutan conflict; while promoting sustainable initiatives and creating a movement to clean up palm oil supply chains globally.”
Chris Yarwood, Primate Assistant Manager and long-time carer for Martha of more than 26 years, added:“There really aren’t enough words to convey the awe and respect that I have for Martha, the grand old lady of Chester Zoo, and it feels incredibly strange to have to say goodbye.
“A wonderful mother and role model to her daughters Sarikei and Leia, Martha was a true ambassador for her species and fundamental to the establishment of the global conservation breeding programme, working to protect these charismatic, but sadly highly threatened animals.
“Caring for Martha has been a huge privilege. She’ll be hugely missed and will always hold a special place in our hearts.”
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