Zoo announces preliminary necropsy results for infant orangutan
Officials at Zoo Atlanta were saddened to announce that Sandar, a 3-month-old male Bornean orangutan, was euthanized on July 1, 2010, following multiple health complications since birth. Preliminary observations from a necropsy conducted by The University of Georgia’s Department of Pathology in the College of Veterinary Medicine on July 2, 2010, indicate that Sandar’s deteriorating health resulted from an enlarged heart and abnormal lungs among other issues. Final necropsy results are expected in several weeks after a histopathological review of various tissue samples.
“Zoo Atlanta is grateful for the outstanding work, dedication and professionalism of our colleagues at the University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine,” said Raymond King, President and CEO. “We are extremely grateful to the nurses from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, as well as to the specialists who devoted such energy and empathy to trying to help Sandar survive. I would also like to thank everyone for their kind words and condolences.”
Zoo Atlanta houses the nation’s largest zoological collection of orangutans, now with 10 individuals living in separate family groups. Lori Perkins, Director of Animal Programs, chairs the Orangutan Species Survival Plan (SSP).
Native to the island of Borneo in Indonesia, Bornean orangutans are endangered because of habitat conversion to palm oil plantations, over-harvesting of timber and human encroachment. Bornean orangutans are more numerous than their critically endangered Sumatran counterparts, also represented at Zoo Atlanta, but experts predict that both could become extinct without targeted conservation efforts.
