Dublin Zoo announce the passing of 'much loved' 44 year-old Orangutan Leonie

Dublin Zoo has announced the passing of "much loved" 44 year-old orangutan, Leonie.

Leonie was a Northwest Bornean orangutan, and arrived at Dublin Zoo from Rotterdam Zoo in 1984.

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Dublin Zoo team leader Ciarán McMahon, who first met Leonie in 1995 as a young zookeeper paid tribute to Leonie saying:

"It’s hard to put into words what Leonie meant to us at Dublin Zoo – especially for those of us who’ve known her since the beginning. Leonie and her mate Sibu arrived from Rotterdam in 1984, and over the next 40 years, she became not only a cornerstone of our orangutan group but, in many ways, the quiet and quirky matriarch of Dublin Zoo."

"I had the privilege of watching her grow from a young adolescent into an extraordinary mother. She was incredibly intelligent, gentle, and wise. While she was loving towards all our keepers, she was known for having a soft spot for the male staff – a bit of a flirt, we used to say! Her level of comprehension was astonishing. She would calmly observe the team and often mimic our behaviour. Orangutans are known for this, but Leonie’s abilities were exceptional."

In the statement he goes on to talk about the loss of her mate that hit her especially hard:

"The loss of her mate Sibu last year hit us all hard, but Leonie most of all. They had been inseparable companions for over 40 years. She was always at her most content by his side, and his sudden passing undoubtedly affected her.

In recent months, we watched her health decline due to age-related issues affecting her heart and breathing. Despite expert care, including consultation with human cardiac specialists, her condition worsened. With heavy hearts, we made the decision to let her go peacefully."

He finishes the statement by saying:

"Leonie inspired millions to care about the survival of her species. We miss her already. And always will."