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
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