Sumatran Orangutan Dies at Zoo Atlanta

2/9/10 Officials at Zoo Atlanta announced today that Jantan (J.T.), a 20-year-old male Sumatran orangutan, passed away early yesterday evening. The Animal Management and Veterinary Teams had been actively treating the great ape for health complications caused by a long-term respiratory illness.

 “The Zoo Atlanta family is deeply saddened by the loss of J.T., both as an individual and as an ambassador for a critically endangered species,” said Dr. Dwight Lawson, Senior Vice President of Collections, Education and Conservation. “Our animal management and veterinary teams demonstrated exceptional commitment and diligence to ensuring that he had the best possible treatment over the course of his long illness.” 

In 1999, J.T. began exhibiting early symptoms of chronic infection of his air sacs, ultimately leading to chronic respiratory infections, which are known to be a significant cause of mortality in orangutans. Despite 10 years of aggressive and proactive medical therapies, including two surgeries and consultation with dedicated colleagues throughout the U.S., J.T. had developed severe respiratory disease. Zoo Atlanta is particularly grateful to Dr. David Shaz, Assistant Professor, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Emory Crawford Long Hospital, and Dr. Allan Pickens, Thoracic Surgeon, Emory Crawford Long Medical Tower Thoracic Surgery, both of whom joined the Zoo’s Veterinary Team in attempting to resuscitate J.T. following his sharp and sudden decline on February 8. 

Born April 4, 1989, at Emory University’s Yerkes National Primate Research Center, J.T. arrived at Zoo Atlanta with his mother in 1991.  He had spent the last several years in the company of his great-aunt, 39-year-old Biji, with whom he enjoyed a close personal bond. J.T. is survived by one offspring, male Bernas, born July 27, 2002, at Zoo Atlanta. Zoo Atlanta houses the nation’s largest zoological collection of orangutans, now with nine individuals. The Zoo’s Director of Animal Programs, Lori Perkins, chairs the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Orangutan Species Survival Plan.

A necropsy will be performed at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center. Necropsies are performed following all animal deaths at Zoo Atlanta, regardless of the individual’s age. 
Native to the island of Sumatra in Indonesia, Sumatran orangutans are among the Zoo’s most critically endangered primates. The species is threatened by habitat loss, predominantly because of clear-cutting of forests for palm oil production, and risks extinction within 10 years without targeted conservation efforts. The Orangutan Species Survival Plan seeks to maintain a self-sustaining, genetically diverse population within North American zoos.

About Zoo Atlanta
An accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Zoo Atlanta inspires value and preservation of wildlife through a unique mix of education and outdoor family fun. From well-known native wildlife to critically endangered species on the brink of extinction, the Zoo offers memorable close encounters with more than 1,000 animals from around the world. An all-new carnivore complex, featuring the exciting debut of two new sun bears, is scheduled to open in summer 2010. Zoo Atlanta is also the proud home of Xi Lan, the only giant panda cub born in the U.S. in 2008, and the popular Boundless Budgies: A Parakeet Adventure, the largest interactive experience of its kind in the Southeast. Other highlights include the nation’s largest collection of great apes and a global center of excellence for the care and reproduction of vanishing amphibians and reptiles. Zoo Atlanta is open daily with the exceptions of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Keeper talks, interactive wildlife shows, education programs and special events run year-round. For more information, call 404.624.WILD or visit zooatlanta.org. 

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