San Diego

San Diego Zoo Euthanizes Elderly Orangutan

Janey was the oldest living Bornean orangutan in the U.S.

After a series of health problems, staff at the San Diego Zoo decided to euthanize Janey, an elderly Bornean orangutan beloved at the Zoo, officials announced Thursday. 

Wednesday, staff took Janey, 55, to the veterinary hospital for a sedated exam to figure out why she was suffering from respiratory difficulties. 

Janey appeared to suffer a series of cardiac arrests with an unlikely prognosis for recovery, the Zoo said in a statement. 

The staff made the decision to euthanize her. 

Janey was born in 1961 and arrived at San Diego Zoo in 1984. She came from a private European collection. 

"She was a well known and beloved figure at the San Diego Zoo and will be dearly missed," the Zoo said in a statement.

Janey was the oldest living Bornean orangutan in the U.S. 

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