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[Joe Garden <joegarden AT yahoo.com>]

Submitted by Ann Batdorf

http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041113/NEWS01/411130317/1079

Saturday, November 13, 2004

Orangutan dies at Great Ape Trust

Indah, 24, known as ambassador

By The Associated Press

DES MOINES -- One of two apes that came to Iowa in September as part of 
a primate research program at the newly formed Great Ape Trust has 
died, doctors with the project said.

Indah, a 24-year-old orangutan, was euthanized Thursday after 
veterinarians discovered a terminal illness.

Indah was known as an ambassador for all great apes, which include 
orangutans, chimpanzees and gorillas, because of research she did with 
languages.

"She created an awareness of great ape intelligence and the importance 
of great ape conservation in the wild," said Dr. Benjamin Beck, 
director of conservation at Great Ape Trust, where scientists study the 
behavior and learning capabilities of four types of great apes.

She arrived here with great fanfare Sept. 28 from the National Zoo in 
Washington, with her 26-year-old brother Azy.

She was born at the zoo in 1980 and began participating in the 
Orangutan Language Program with Dr. Rob Shumaker in 1995. It's estimated
at 
least 200,000 people viewed the language research sessions at the zoo.

"Those who experienced a research session with Indah left with a 
fundamental shift in their attitude about great apes, and our relationship
to 
them," Shumaker said.

Diagnosed at a young age with a bowel syndrome, Indah had been taking 
medication for the condition throughout her life, Shumaker said. 
Recently she began showing a loss of appetite and lethargic behavior.

She was sedated Thursday morning at the Great Ape Trust and transported 
to Iowa State University after doctors found an obstruction of the 
lower intestinal tract. She was taken into surgery where doctors found the

bowel syndrome had manifested into an untreatable terminal state. The 
doctors decided euthanasia was the only humane option.

"None of us had the slightest indication this was a possibility when we 
started the procedure," Shumaker said. "It's a tragedy for me 
personally, for those who knew her, certainly for her brother who was here
and a 
tragedy for the organization because she had phenomenal skills."

Public visits for the apes scheduled in January now are on hold, 
officials said. As for other changes that will take place at the campus
near 
Des Moines, Shumaker said it's just too early to discuss.

Research that Indah participated in can continue with her brother who 
took part in some of the same activities, Shumaker said. But first, Azy 
will have to adjust to life without his sister.

"If it had been possible, I would have wanted him to see her after she 
died so he wouldn't be waiting for her to come back," Shumaker said. 
"I'm sure he's confused now. Over time, I'm sure he'll understand."

Choking back tears, Shumaker said he wants people to remember how Indah 
inspired those who met her.

Orangutans live to an average age of 45 years, but some have lived as 
long as 60.

"Indah was a very special orangutan -- a free spirit that helped us 
come to better understand what orangutans are and can be," said Dr. Sue 
Savage-Rumbaugh, director of bonobo research at the Great Ape Trust. "She 
will be sorely missed."

Indah's body remained at Iowa State University on Friday until 
officials decide what to do next.

More...

* Great Ape Trust: www.greatapetrust.org

Photo Unit
National Zoological Park
3001 Connecticut Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20008


                
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