Ah Meng, icon of Singapore Zoo, dies of old
age
By Hasnita A Majid, Channel
NewsAsia | Posted: 08 February 2008 1828
hrs
SINGAPORE: Ah Meng, the Sumatran orang utan that was
considered an icon at the Singapore Zoo, died on Friday. She was
about 48 years old and had died of old age.
In 1971, Ah Meng was confiscated from a family which had illegally
kept her as a pet. She then found her home at the Singapore
Zoo.
Ah Meng was the first to host the Zoo's famous 'Breakfast With An
Orang Utan' programme. She soon became a celebrity, both locally
and internationally.
She had been featured in over 30 travel films and 'interviewed' by
more than 300 writers.
In 1992, Ah Meng received a special award from the Singapore
Tourism Board in recognition of her contribution towards tourism in
Singapore.
As an icon of the Singapore Zoo, Ah Meng has met numerous foreign
dignitaries and world-renowned celebrities such as Prince Philip,
David Copperfield, Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor.
Ah Meng also contributed to the Singapore Zoo's captive breeding
programme. She had five children and became a grandmother in
1990.
As a tribute to her, the next orang utan to be born at the
Singapore Zoo shall be named Ah Meng Junior.
And to commemorate Ah Meng's efforts towards generating a greater
awareness on the plight of orang utans in the wild, the Singapore
Zoo will intensify its conservation work for orang utans.
The public can see their beloved orang utan for the last time at
the Zoo on Sunday, 11am. She will be buried on the same day.
Fanny Lai, Group CEO of Wildlife Reserves Singapore, said: "We
mourn the passing of Ah Meng. She has touched the hearts of
everyone who has met her and contributed immensely in helping to
promote awareness of how each and every one of us can play a role
in anti-poaching, anti-deforestation and conservation matters. We
will miss her dearly."
Alagappasamy s/o Chellaiyah, who is also known as Sam, said: "I
have taken care of Ah Meng since she first came to the Zoo. Her
departure makes me extremely sad and it will take a long while for
me to adjust to not having her around. On the other hand, I am very
happy that I have had the opportunity to take care of Ah Meng and
her family all these years."
Ah Meng will certainly be missed by many, including President S R
Nathan, who spoke to reporters at the Istana Open House on Friday
afternoon.
He said: "Ah Meng has been so much of a symbol of the Zoo. A lot of
people – locals and foreigners – have enjoyed her company. I'm sure
the patrons of the Zoo will miss her a great deal. But that's
life." - CNA/so
