Perth Zoo announces death of 56-year-old orangutan Puteri

Perth Zoo has announced the death of Puteri, a 56-year-old Sumatran orangutan and one of the zoo’s longest-serving residents. Following advice from veterinarians and animal welfare experts, Puteri was humanely euthanised due to significant age-related health issues.

As the first orangutan born at Perth Zoo, Puteri played a vital role in Australian breeding programs and raised four daughters to help sustain the critically endangered species. Her legacy includes her daughter, Temara, who became the first Perth Zoo-born orangutan released into the wild in Indonesia’s Bukit Tigapuluh National Park via a partnership with the Frankfurt Zoological Society.

Western Australian Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn acknowledged Puteri’s impact, noting her ability to connect generations of people with wildlife and inspire conservation efforts regarding threats such as habitat loss and unsustainable palm oil production.