Singaporeans' most beloved tourism ambassador, Ah Meng passed away yesterday (8 February 2008) at 11.20 am due to old age; she was 48 years old (according to studies on primates, orang utans in captivity do not normally live beyond 45 years, thus Ah Meng had really lived to a ripe old age...)
Ah Meng was a Sumatran orang utan; she was born in Sumatra in 1960. Ah Meng came to the Zoo in 1971 when she was confiscated from a Chinese family in Singapore who had kept her as an illegal pet. Ah Meng is the first and only non-human recipient of the ‘Special Tourism Ambassador’ award conferred by the then Singapore Tourism Promotion Board in 1992 for her outstanding contributions in promoting the Zoo as a tourist attraction.
Ah Meng was also famous as a very affectionate and devoted mother and grandmother. Ah Meng leaves behind two sons Hsing Hsing (currently lives at Perth Zoo), Satria, and three daughters, Medan, Sayang and Hong Bao and seven grandchildren. As a tribute to Ah Meng, the next newborn orang utan to be born at the Zoo will be named Ah Meng Junior.
Although it's really hard to say goodbye, I know that such a gentle and fine animal will go to paradise and rest peacefully over there.
Thank you for leaving us so many fond memories, you will always live in our hearts.
Farewell...
Picture source:
http://www.zoo.com.sg/WHATSNEW/Remembering_Ah_Meng.htm
莫道农家无宝玉，
知道一定会不舍、难过，原本不打算来送你最后一程，但是彻夜难眠，惊醒数次，熬到早上，才决定赶去见你最后一面。赶路时，心头酸酸的，眼睛湿湿的，一直念着“Ah Meng, 我来了”。终于到了动物园，看到你的遗照，心里踏实了。
来陪你走完最后一程的人非常多，虽然人多，但是场面很肃静，连平时爱哭爱闹的孩童都被现场的气氛感染，安静了许多。在排队见你最后一面时，看到已为你挖好的坟墓；坟墓面向宁静的蓄水池，是长眠的好地点。平时照顾人猿(orang utans)的管理员在白色棺材周围围成一个弧形，像往常一样地呵护着已安息的你。
终于见到你了，你看起来很祥和，睡得很安详。看着你的时候，时间好像停止了，忍不住哽咽，心里不断地叫你“走好，Ah Meng，走好”。Sam, 自1971年就无微不至地照顾你的管理员也一直站在你的旁边陪伴着你，看到他，我与他握手，感谢他这37年来对你的无私付出与关怀。
追悼仪式开始了。疼爱你的Fanny Lai (CEO of Wildlife Reserves Singapore) 带着沉痛的心情致词，双眼哭得红肿的她感谢你陪伴许多新加坡人一起成长。你最喜欢的管理员Sam在致词时也悲恸不舍，他哽咽地说：“Ah Meng, I will miss you, goodbye my friend.” 这时，在场的人都落泪了。所有的管理员收起悲伤，把代表祝福的花圈放在你的周围，忍痛盖棺后，小心翼翼地把你放进早已为你挖好的坟墓。大家在管理员盖土之前都上前为你献上鲜花，再见了，Ah Meng。
盖好土后，管理员用一盆盆花把坟墓围了一圈，过些时候，动物园会在坟墓上给你立一个墓碑。你生前最喜欢吃榴莲，动物园也会在你的坟墓附近种一棵榴莲树，你应该感到欣慰了。
和你相处最久的Sam参与了整个追悼与埋葬仪式，心里的万分不舍只有他知道。他表现得很坚强，对于大家的慰问，他都面带感激的微笑。我与Sam谈了几句，他透露你是在无病痛的情况下与世长辞。初二早上，十一点时分，Sam给你喝了点水，之后你就显得有些昏昏沉沉，终于在十一点二十分，你倒下了。我们都知道你累了，需要永远地好好休息。
我很荣幸能够拿到盖有你的拇指印章的纪念书，我也邀请Sam在书本上签名。这本“My Cousin, Ah Meng”是你与Sam送给我的最佳纪念品，我会好好保存它的。
Singaporeans' most beloved tourism ambassador, Ah Meng passed away yesterday (8 February 2008) at 11.20 am due to old age; she was 48 years old (according to studies on primates, orang utans in captivity do not normally live beyond 45 years, thus Ah Meng had really lived to a ripe old age...)
