KANSAS CITY— The Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium is mourning the loss of a popular orangutan.
Rufus, a 36-year-old male Bornean orangutan, who had lived at the Zoo more than two decades, passed away peacefully on Saturday due to a chronic heart condition, according to a media release from the zoo.
Rufus was born at Utah's Hogle Zoo in 1988 and arrived in Kansas City in May 2003. He was a subadult at that time, but eventually grew the large cheek flanges that are an identifying feature of adult male orangutans. Rufus had a heart condition that the Zoo's veterinary health team had been treating and monitoring for many years.
Through the strong relationship he had with his animal care specialists, Rufus was trained with positive reinforcement to voluntarily participate in ultrasounds of his heart and blood sampling. Due to this outstanding care, which allowed the diagnosis and treatment of his condition, Rufus lived years beyond what was originally expected when diagnosed. Though the species is solitary by nature, Rufus did find companionship with Jill, the oldest female orangutan at the Zoo. He never had offspring of his own but was a father figure and playmate to Josie and Kalijon in their younger years.
Rufus was quite particular and made his unique preferences known, an endearing part of his personality for his caregivers. He had an appreciation for tidy spaces and loved to be outdoors, even if it was a little chilly or hot outside. Animal care specialists say he was cautious, but earning his trust was well worth the wait.
Though perhaps biased, some Zoo staff considered him the most handsome of all orangutans. Staff and guests alike will greatly miss this smart fellow who defied the odds.