LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (February 1, 2016) – The Little Rock Zoo mourns the loss of its male orangutan, Rok, who died last week when the great ape failed to recover from anesthesia after a routine medical procedure.

Zoo veterinary staff worked with a team of specialists including an anesthetic team, a dentistry team, and a cardiology team to perform a comprehensive exam with a cardiac workup and dental evaluation on Rok. Because it is not uncommon for great apes to have heart problems, echocardiograms are routinely performed on the Zoo’s great apes to check for signs of heart disease.  Rok’s passing came while he was under anesthesia during these exams.

Rok, a 30-year-old orangutan living at the Zoo since 1988, was fondly known by Zoo staff and guests for carrying around his blanket and sleeping with it over his head. He would often climb to the top post of his exhibit structure and survey the world around him like a watchful guardian. He was clever and often tried to outwit Zoo staff into giving him special treats and favors.

Full necropsy results will be available soon. Median life expectancy for orangutans in zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is 28.2 years of age. At the age of 30 Rok had outlived many of his counterparts.

Orangutans are considered a critically endangered species in the wild. The large demand for palm oil has led to the rapid decimation of forest in Indonesia and other southeast Asian countries where orangutans live. Palm oil is the most popularly used vegetable oil in the world and is found in everything from baked good to cosmetics. Efforts to encourage sustainable palm oil production have tried to alleviate some of the deforestation but the problem remains a challenge.

The Little Rock Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.  Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you and a better future for all living things.  With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and your link to helping animals in their native habitats.  For more information, visit www.aza.org.

###