24-04-2025
Orangutan who was 'quiet matriarch' of Dublin Zoo dies
Dublin Zoo has announced the death of its "much-loved" female Northwest Borean orangutan.
It said that Leonie was "an iconic presence since her arrival from Rotterdam Zoo in 1984".
The 44-year-old "was at the heart of our orangutan family for four decades," the zoo added.
Team leader Ciarán McMahon, who first met Leonie in 1995 as a young zookeeper, described her as "the quiet and quirky matriarch of Dublin Zoo".
She "was a character" who was "calm, confident, and adored by visitors and keepers alike," he said.
"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.
"While she was loving towards all our keepers, she was known for having a soft spot for the male staff.
"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.
"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," Mr McMahon added.
He said that, in recent months, Leonie's health declined due to age-related issues affecting 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."
Her death follows the loss of her mate Sibu last year.
