Perth Zoos Puan the orangutan becomes the oldest in captivity

An orangutan at Perth Zoo has been named the worlds oldest Sumatran species in captivity. Female orangutans in the wild do not generally live past 50, but Puan just celebrated her 60th birthday. She was gifted to the zoo in 1968 by the Sultan of Johor, and was the start of the zoos breeding program. Puan is the mother of 11 children and has multiple grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Puan the orangutan in Perth Zoo has been named the oldest in the world, with keepers estimating her age to be around 60 years old. The Guinness Book of Records have named Puan the oldest Sumatran species in captivity.

The elderly ape was gifted to the zoo by Malaysias Sultan of Johor in 1968, Reuters re ported, in return he received a selection of Australian animals. A spokesperson told the agency that female orangutans do not usually live past 50 – Puan celebrated her 60th on Thursday with a breakfast of rambutan, an exotic fruit from Malaysia.

She likes to get her own way. If shes waiting for her breakfast and doesnt think its coming fast she will stamp her foot. Today, I think she was quite unimpressed with all the fanfare, the spokesperson said.

One keeper said that though shes in excellent health and condition, shes become cranky in old age.

In West Borneo, younger orangutans are getting their first encounters with others. International Animal Rescue released a video of the orphaned orangutans Gatot undergoing his first day of baby school – where young babies are taught to climb and socialise.