Zoo’s Oldest Orangutan Passes Away

Topeka Zoo’s Eldest Orangutan Passes Away

Daisy, 9.10.66 – 2.20.12

TOPEKA, KS  - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Daisy, the Topeka Zoo’s eldest female Orangutan.  Over the last few years, Daisy had experienced times of failing health dealing both with chronic sinusitis as well as chronic kidney disease.  Daisy was 45 years old.  The average lifespan of an orangutan in captivity is 45 years of age.

 At just five years of age, Daisy arrived at the Topeka Zoological Park in 1971 from the Dallas Zoo.  She was obtained through a $5,000 gift from Friends of the Topeka Zoo.  During her time here at the zoo, Daisy served as a surrogate mother for several orangutan babies.

 Daisy loved to watch zoo visitors and would be found frequently sitting in front of the outdoor viewing glass. She also enjoyed playing in tubs full of bubbles and wrestling with the zoos youngest orangutan, Rayma.  As part of her enrichment program, she would periodically paint with her tongue.  Her favorite foods were bananas, oranges, grapes, and alfalfa.  Of all of the orangutans at the zoo, keepers found Daisy to be the first one to sleep at the end of the day and the first one awake in the morning.

 It will be a few weeks before histopathology results are in and a conclusive cause of death can be determined.

 Zoo staff would like to thank not only the various community partners that have participated in Daisy’s care over the last few months but also all of the community members that have been a part of Daisy’s life and have been connected to Orangutan conservation through her spirit.

 For anyone wanting to give back to Daisy, memorial contributions can be made in Daisy’s honor to Friends of the Topeka Zoo, 635 SW Gage Blvd, Topeka, KS, 66606, in support of Orangutan Conservation.