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Celebration of Life for Duchess of the Phoenix Zoo
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Celebration of Life for Duchess of the Phoenix Zoo
PHOENIX (June 24, 2012 ) – The Phoenix Zoo announced that a celebration of life will take place Saturday, June 30, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. to honor Duchess, the Zoo’s matriarch orangutan who passed away today of high grade lymphosarcoma, an aggressive form of cancer.
Duchess was 52 years old and had lived at the Phoenix Zoo since just after it opened in 1962. “Although we are deeply saddened by Duchess’s passing, she long surpassed the number of years that orangutans live in zoos and preserves, as well as in the wild, ” explained Bert Castro, President and CEO of the Arizona Zoological Society/Phoenix Zoo. “We have been grateful for the outpouring of memories and stories about Duchess through our social media outlets over the past week. It has been a joy to see all of the lives she has touched throughout our community and beyond. She will be deeply missed.”
Duchess was diagnosed with the cancer in the past couple of weeks and efforts were made to ensure that her final days were made as comfortable as possible. “The cancer was incredibly aggressive and over the past few days, Duchess became increasingly weak and more lethargic. The veterinary staff, alongside the keepers, made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize her this morning, ” reports Dr. Gary West, Executive Vice President of Animal Health and Collections.
Duchess was the oldest Bornean orangutan in North America and has been one of the most beloved animals at the Phoenix Zoo. She was born in the jungles of Borneo where she was orphaned at a very young age. When Duchess came to Phoenix in 1962, it was determined that she was around 2 years old. During her life, Duchess gave birth to seven babies. “Duchess has made a significant contribution to the population of Bornean orangutans in North America, ” commented Lori Perkins, Chair of the Orangutan Species Survival Plan and VP of Collections for Zoo Atlanta. “Five of her offspring have reproduced, and she currently has three offspring, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild living in zoos across the country. Her lineage will live on for years to come and they will be strong ambassadors for their wild counterparts.”
At the time of her passing, Duchess shared her exhibit at the Zoo with her daughter Bess, her grand-daughter Kasih and Bess’s mate, Michael.
Duchess was very observant and curious about the people who visited her at the Zoo and she seemed to love watching the crowds just as much as the guests enjoyed observing her. Very often it was overheard that she would stare so intently into the eyes of her admirers that they felt she could look directly into their soul. We will all miss her very much.
The celebration to honor Duchess will take place during regular Zoo hours,
7 a.m. – 2 p.m. Activities are still being planned at this time and will be included with general Zoo admission. Information will be forthcoming.
If you would like to share your memories and thoughts about Duchess, please go to the Zoo’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/phoenixzoo.
Media: to download photos of Duchess, please visit here.
About Bornean Orangutans
Scientists estimate that wild orangutans could be extinct in 5-10 years if their forest habitat continues to be destroyed at the current rate. Forests in Borneo and Sumatra are being destroyed to grow palm oil, which is used in countless snack foods, household cleaning supplies and cosmetics. You can help reduce demand for unsustainably harvested palm oil by purchasing products that use certified sustainable palm oil and by supporting the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil.
About the Phoenix Zoo
The Phoenix Zoo is a non-profit zoological park that serves 1.4 million guests annually. Home to more than 1, 100 animals and many endangered and threatened species, the Zoo provides experiences that inspire people and motive them to care for the natural world. For information on upcoming events, exhibits and activities at the Phoenix Zoo, visit www.phoenixzoo.org. The Zoo is a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation. Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. The AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native habitats. To learn more, visit www.aza.org.
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