Melbourne Zoo has had a day to forget after a beloved orangutan was euthanised hours after visitors were evacuated over fears a baboon had escaped its enclosure.
Kiani, the 45-year-old Sumatran orangutan, was euthanised by veterinarians on Wednesday after her health deteriorated from age-related conditions in recent weeks, having surpassed the average life expectancy of about 40 years.
She had spent her entire life at the zoo and was known for her calm and inquisitive nature.
Only two of the critically endangered species are now left at Melbourne Zoo including Kiani’s 33-year-old daughter Gabby.
Hours before her keepers made the tough decision to put her down, visitors were evacuated or placed into lockdown when an emergency alarm was triggered in the afternoon.
Melbourne Zoo has announced the death of 45-year-old Orangutan, Kiani (pictured), just hours after the zoo was plunged into a lockdown after fears a Baboon was on the loose
Taking to social media to commemorate Kiani’s life, Melbourne Zoo said the orangutan was ‘admired by all those who had the privilege of meeting her’.
‘Staff, zoo members and visitors alike will have fond memories of Kiani that span over the past four decades.’
‘Kiani loved to interact with visitors, paying special attention to men with beards, as well as mothers feeding their babies.
‘While we are deeply saddened by her loss, we are comforted knowing she is at peace and without pain. Vale Kiani.’
The announcement came as a shock to ‘devastated and heartbroken’ visitors who saw her as late as Monday.
‘I’ll miss showing her photos to her on the back of my camera, so glad I got to spend some time with her last Saturday,’ a Facebook user commented.
‘What a beautiful orangutan you were, my heart goes out to all the staff who loved her. She was the best and I loved seeing her when I visited,’ a second wrote.
‘I remember when Kiani was born at Melbourne Zoo what exciting news that was & when visiting she was so graceful. Kiani will be missed dearly,’ a third wrote.
Kiani’s keepers made the tough decision to euthanise her after her health deteriorated due to age-related conditions, having surpassed the average 40-year lifespan of the species
Melbourne Zoo (pictured) announced that the 10-minute lockdown alarm was falsely triggered as there was ‘no emergency’
While visitors mourned Kiani’s death on social media, other users at the zoo revealed the tourist attraction had gone into lockdown after an emergency alarm was set off.
Patrons were forced to evacuate to the zoo’s main gates at the entrance with fears a baboon was on the loose.
While the primate isn’t known to be violent against humans they can attack if antagonised or if a person is holding food.
The creatures that are three-times as strong as the average human can also cause serious damage as they’re armed with sharp fangs and claws.
However, in a statement regarding the alarm Melbourne Zoo revealed the 10-minute-long lockdown was caused by a false alarm.
‘There was no emergency and visitors were able to continue enjoying their Zoo visit,’ the statement reads.
The zoo’s procedures require staff to ‘immediately action emergency procedures while the situation is being assessed’.
An investigation into how the alarm will be conducted by Melbourne Zoo.