DENVER – Mias, Sumatran orangutan who has been at the Denver Zoo since 1997, died Monday. He was 31.
The zoo said Mias showed signs of minor discomfort Monday afternoon, and suddenly stopped breathing at around 3:30 p.m.
"Everything happened very quickly, within minutes. Unfortunately there was no way to see this coming. We are conducting a necropsy in hopes of determining the cause of his death and we will know more in a few weeks," Staff Veterinarian Dr. Betsy Stringer said.
Mias had chronic respiratory issues and was being treated for a condition similar to cystic fibrosis. He voluntarily took twice-daily doses of nebulized antibiotics and bronchodilators, the zoo says.
He was born at the Toronto Zoo in 1983, and came to Denver 14 years later. When he arrived, he had a chronic cough and runny nose – a condition present in 20 to 40 percent of zoo orangutans.
Mias was the father to 4-year-old Hesty. The zoo said he was an "exceptionally attentive and tolerant father" – and even allowed her to steal food from his mouth.
"This is very difficult, especially for the staff and volunteers that cared for him daily. Mias also was well-known and well loved by the entire Denver community. He was a notable favorite, a very sweet animal and he will be missed greatly," Senior Vice President for Animal Care & Conservation Brian Aucone said.
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