Ah Meng passed away this morning

THE Singapore Zoo’s most famous and well-loved Orang Utan, Ah Meng has passed away on Friday due to old age. She was approximately 50 years old.

She was born in Sumatra, Indonesia around 1960 and came to the Zoo when she was about seven years old in 1971 when she was confiscated from the Chinese family who had kept her as an illegal pet.

In 1982, Ah Meng’s big break came when she became the star attraction of the Zoo’s ‘Breakfast with an Orang Utan’ programme.

The loveable Orang Utan rose to fame quickly, and has been featured in numerous travel films and print articles.

In 1992, Ah Meng became the first and only non-human recipient of the Singapore Tourism Promotion Board’s (STB) Special Ambassador award for her contributions.

In her lifetime, Ah Meng has also rubbed shoulders with foreign dignitaries and famous celebrities including Prince Philip and Michael Jackson.

The Zoo’s curator, Mr Alagappasamy (aka Sam) has taken care of Ah Meng since she first came to the Zoo.

He is extremely saddened by her departure and though it may ‘take a long time’ for him to adjust not having her around, he is ‘very happy to have had the opportunity to take care of Ah Meng and her family all these years’.

Group CEO of Wildlife Reserves Singapore, Ms Fanny Lai said: ‘We mourn the passing of Ah Meng. She has touched the hearts of everyone who has met her and contributed immensely in helping promote awareness of how each and every one of us can play a role in anti-poaching, anti-deforestation and conservation matters’.

Ah Meng leaves behind two sons Hsing Hsing, Satria, and two daughers, Medan and Sayang and six grandchildren.

She will be reposed at the Zoo’s Garden with a View from 9-11am on Feb 10 where the public can visit her for the last time. Her memorial service will take place shortly after at 11am.

Rest in peace, Ah Meng. Singapore will never forget you and the contributions you have made to our tourist industry. It is sad that she’s gone, but at least she left behind a huge family with four children and six grandchildren.

UPDATES:

Share photos you have taken with Ah Meng HERE on omy.

Click HERE to view a filmlet made for last year’s National Day Parade, featuring Ah Meng and her keeper, Mr Alagappasamy.

omy news report on Ah Meng:

4000人送别Ah Meng

Ah Meng睡在白色棺木 长眠实里达蓄水池畔

阿明死后送财 年龄子孙开入围

Technorati Tags: national day parade, ah meng, alagappasamy, sam, singapore zoo, orang utan, chomel, centurion, breakfast with an orang utan, singapore tourism promotion board, fanny lai, wildlife reserves signapore, hsing hsing, satria, medan, sayang