Chester Zoo pays tribute after death of Bornean orangutan Martha
Martha had lived at the zoo since the 1960s
Chester Zoo has announced the death of a 59-year-old Bornean orangutan who had lived at the site since 1966.
The 'extremely tough decision' was made to put Martha to sleep after her arthritis deteriorated in recent months.
Martha was a great, great grandmother having had two daughters, Sarikei and Leia, who she lived with alongside their own offspring.
Orphaned as a baby, Martha was raised in care in Borneo before moving to Chester Zoo in the 1960s.
Bosses at the zoo said she went on to become 'a hugely influential part of the international conservation breeding programme'.
Mark Brayshaw, 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.”
Martha's legacy will live on as a small genetic tissue sample from her will be cryogenically frozen which could go on to help with future conservation projects.