Dublin Zoo announces death of orangutan Leonie who lived at the zoo for over 40 years
Olivia Kelleher
Management at Dublin Zoo have stated that they are “deeply saddened” to announce the ing of Leonie, their “much loved” 44 year old female Northwest Bornean orangutan.
Staff onsite say that Leonie was at the heart of their orangutan family for over 40 years following her arrival from Rotterdam Zoo in 1984.
Dublin Zoo team leader Ciarán McMahon, who first met Leonie in 1995 as a young zookeeper, stresses that it is hard to put in to words what she meant to all at the zoo.
“Leonie and her mate Sibu arrived from Rotterdam in 1984, and over the next forty 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."
Mr McMahon said that Leonie mothered not only her own young but helped raise others in the troop with immense care and patience.
“She brought a sense of calm, comfort and quiet strength to the group. One moment that stays with me is how she instinctively stepped in to care for a young Mujur, when she needed a surrogate mother. Their bond remained incredibly strong ever since.
"It’s safe to say that Leonie was a character. Calm, confident, and adored by visitors and keepers alike. And then there was her famous fringe. Every morning, she would sit and groom it with the utmost care before she went about her day – a little ritual that made everyone love her even more.
"The loss of her mate Sibu last year hit us all hard, but Leonie most of all. They had been inseparable companions for over forty years. She was always at her most content by his side, and his sudden ing undoubtedly affected her.”
He added that in recent months staff watched her health decline due to age-related issues which impacted 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.
"Leonie taught us more than we could ever teach her. She offered us an extraordinary insight into the intelligence and complexity of orangutans while always retaining her dignity and independence within the group.”
Meanwhile, the Northwest Bornean orangutan is a critically endangered species. The current population estimate for this species is approximately 104,700.
This number is anticipated to decline to 47,000 individuals by 2025. Major threats include habitat loss due to palm oil farming, illegal hunting, habitat fragmentation, and fires.
