Australian zoo officials made the announcement on Tuesday, 19 June 2018. The Sumatran orangutan known as Puan was believed to have been born in 1956, and was gifted to the West Australian zoo by a sultan from Malaysia on New Year’s Eve in 1968.
Puan played a vital role in ensuring the viability of the Sumatran orangutan, which has been categorised as a critically endangered species, according to World Wild Life (WWF).
According to the zookeepers, she exhibited motherly mannerisms. “If you weren’t quick with her dinner, or you kept her inside a minute longer than she deemed necessary, she would let you know by tapping her foot to make you hurry along. You always knew where you stood with Puan,” said Martina Hart – Perth Zookeeper.
She leaves behind 2 daughters – Puteri and Pulang -at the zoo, along with four grandchildren -Utama, Teliti, Sekara and Lestari- and a great-grandson – Sungai.
Yesterday the Zoo family farewelled Puan, the oldest orangutan in the world, due to age related complications.
Rest in peace Puan, may you climb happily in the jungles of the sky. https://t.co/C4vQwSA8Al
Music by https://t.co/9EoIadZyGb pic.twitter.com/y0c9GTqb1I— Perth Zoo (@PerthZoo) June 19, 2018
