Say Goodbye to Australia’s Orangutan Legend
Perth Zoo has lost its matriarch—Puan, the 62‑year‑old Sumatran orangutan who rode the world’s longest timeline.
Who was Puan?
- Born in 1956, she’s the oldest verified Sumatran orangutan ever recorded by Guinness.
- Gifted by Malaysia to Perth in 1968, she’s been the zoo’s “queen of the jungle” for over 50 years.
- She left a grand total of 54 descendants worldwide—11 kids and a whole army of grandkids and great‑grandkids.
- Her genetic legacy accounts for almost 10% of the global zoo orangutan population.
What the Team Has to Say
Primate supervisor Holly Thompson summed it up:
“Puan did more for the colony and the survival of her species than most of us can even imagine.”
“Beyond being the colony’s oldest member, she was the founding star of our world‑renowned breeding program, leaving an unforgettable legacy.”
Life in the Zoo
Puan was known as the aloof but devoted lady:
- She’d keep her distance unless you were doing something she wasn’t thrilled about—then you’d feel the foot‑stamp of her discontent.
- Even with her grand children and great‑grandchildren cinched to her, she remained a fiercely independent creature.
Family Tree Highlights
- Two daughters still gracing the Zoo’s day‑to‑day.
- Four grandchildren spreading the Puan vibe.
- A great‑grandson, Nyaru, recently released into the wild—Puan’s proud‑little “green‑leaf” ambassador.
The Big Farewell
Perth Zoo’s weekend archers mourn the loss of a 62‑year‑old spirit who made 54 generations feel her pulse around the globe. Her passing is a reminder that even in the animal kingdom, some giants leave behind a trail of moon‑light.
