Dublin

Dublin Zoo orangutan Sibu - the ‘zen monk’ of Phoenix Park - dies at 45

‘He was gentle, caring and highly intelligent, forming strong bonds with the keepers who cared for him’

Sibu munching a grape at Dublin Zoo. Photograph: Alan Betson
Sibu munching a grape at Dublin Zoo. Photograph: Alan Betson
Fri Mar 01 2024 - 07:36

Dublin Zoo has announced the death of Sibu, its male orangutan, at the age of 45.

“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,” the Phoenix Park attraction posted on X on Thursday.

“He was gentle, caring and highly intelligent, forming strong bonds with the keepers who cared for him. His absence will be felt by the whole team, and undoubtedly by the millions of visitors who were fortunate enough to see him over the years.”

A much photographed great ape, Sibu had a languid demeanour - captured by Irish Times writer Rosita Boland on a visit to the zoo in 2016.

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Looking “like a monk, cloaked in shaggy robes that are in fact his own fur”, “Sibu has the most astonishing eyes. Honestly, if a zen monk could be reincarnated as an orangutan, it’s Sibu at Dublin Zoo.

“Sibu sits. A keeper throws a chunk of turnip his way. A paw goes up, and he catches it. Then Sibu has a long existential primate zen moment.

Sibu in Dublin Zoo. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Sibu in Dublin Zoo. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

“He holds up the turnip, and regards it silently. For at least five minutes. Then he slowly eats it... There’s something curiously meditative and restful about it.”

[ Raw fish, rose petals and frozen mice: feeding time at Dublin Zoo ]

Sibu lived with three female orangutans - Leonie, Riona, Majur - in a habitat that was revamped almost a decade ago, under a €3m investment that encouraged the primates to do more daily climbing for their food.

Sibu at the official opening of the new Orangutan Forest at Dublin Zoo which is five times bigger than their previous habitat. Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons
Sibu at the official opening of the new Orangutan Forest at Dublin Zoo which is five times bigger than their previous habitat. Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons
Orangutans Leonie (left) and Sibu at Dublin Zoo. Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons
Orangutans Leonie (left) and Sibu at Dublin Zoo. Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons

The Bornean orangutan, who weighed about 140kg and had an arm span of three meters, also had a seven-year spell in the 2000s at Rhenen Zoo, in the Netherlands for breeding purposes.

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