Eight-year-old Avani, a female Asian elephant, and 28-year-old Riona, a Bornean orangutan, both passed away at the end of June from unrelated illnesses, and the Zoo shared the sad news on their social media pages.
They wrote: "Dublin Zoo is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Avani, an 8-year-old female Asian elephant and Riona, a 28-year-old Bornean orangutan.
"Both beloved animals passed away overnight on June 30th, 2024, from unrelated illnesses and we are currently awaiting the results of post-mortem reports.
"The entire Dublin Zoo team is devastated by this loss. Avani was an integral part of the Asian elephant herd at Dublin Zoo and was adored by the animal care team who worked with her.
"Riona, who was born to parents Leonie and Sibu in 1996, was a very clever and gentle orangutan. She will be greatly missed by the generations of Dublin Zoo keepers who cared for her over the past 28 years."
Dublin Zoo is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Avani, an 8-year-old female Asian elephant and Riona, a 28-year-old Bornean orangutan. pic.twitter.com/0ek6oE5tnd
— Dublin Zoo (@DublinZoo) July 1, 2024
The news comes shortly after the Phoenix Park Zoo announced the arrival of the mighty Asian elephant bull, Aung Bo, to the elephant habitat at the Kaziranga Forest Trail.
22-year-old Aung Bo weighs almost five tonnes, is three meters tall, and arrived in Dublin from Chester Zoo in England. The Zoo shared that Aung Bo has a very gentle nature, and visitors can expect to see him curiously climbing to find delicious morsels of trees, his favorite food.
Until his arrival, it was an all-female herd in Dublin, and Avani leaves behind Dina (40 years), Asha (17 years), Samiya (10 years), and Zinda (8 years).
Exciting news from the Kaziranga Forest Trail! We’re delighted to announce the arrival of Asian bull elephant, Aung Bo 🐘🌿 pic.twitter.com/eZShnwY4sf
— Dublin Zoo (@DublinZoo) June 26, 2024
Riona’s passing comes shortly after the death of another Bornean orangutan, Sibu, who died aged 45. Having first arrived 40 years ago, Dublin Zoo said that he was gentle, caring and highly intelligent.
It is understood that he passed away after complications arising from age-related cardiac and respiratory conditions in February 2024.
Dublin Zoo is deeply saddened to announce that Sibu, our beloved male orangutan, has died. He was 45 years old. Everyone in Dublin Zoo is devastated by the loss of Sibu, who has been an iconic figure at the Zoo since he first arrived 40 years ago this year. pic.twitter.com/0GwgyrNa4K
— Dublin Zoo (@DublinZoo) February 29, 2024
Post-mortems will be carried out on both Avani and Riona to determine their exact cause of death.
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