Chester Zoo announce death of ‘grand old lady’ Bornean orangutan, Martha

A Bornean orangutan who was ‘fundamental’ to the conservation of her species has died at 59, Chester zoo has announced.

Martha was an orphan who had lived at the zoo since she was brought there in 1966.

She was initially raised by Barbara Harrison, an early pioneering orangutan conservationist who helped to set up the first orangutan rehabilitation centre in Borneo.

Martha became an integral part of a breeding programme in the conservation of her species to ensure its survival.

She had two daughters Sarikei and Leia, who she lived with alongside their own offspring Dot and a young female who was born in September last year.

Becoming a great-great-grandmother, she became known as ‘the grand old lady of Chester Zoo’.

Primate assistant manager and zookeeper Chris Yarwood, who cared for Martha for the past 26 years, said ‘Martha was a true ambassador for her species’.

Paying tribute, he said: “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.”

Vets and primate experts said she had been in good health until recent years where she developed age-related complications.

Mr Yarwood said caring for Martha had been a ‘huge privilege’.

“Caring for Martha has been a huge privilege. She’ll be hugely missed and will always hold a special place in our hearts,” he added.

At an estimated 59 years, Martha lived well beyond her typical life expectancy which, in the wild, is estimated to be around 40 years.

Bornean orangutans are considered critically endangered in the wild because of the loss of rainforest, which is their natural habitat, and illegal hunting.

As part of the ongoing effort to continue to protect endangered species from extinction, a small genetic tissue sample has been taken from Martha to preserve future options for conservation.

Bosses say the tissue samples will be cryogenically frozen and stored at the zoo’s partner’s and charity Nature’s Safe.

They say the samples could go on to restore lost genetic diversity and offer a potential lifeline to Bornean orangutans in the future.