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The Louisville Zoo recently announced that it has lost one of its most beloved animals, a 36-year-old orangutan, due to a long battle with heart disease.

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Cheek, a Sumatran-Borneo hybrid orangutan, had a heart condition, but his health began to deteriorate in recent months and he was euthanized. Zoli Ghimesh, Senior Staff Veterinarian, said: “End-of-life decisions are always difficult, especially for a charismatic animal like Cheek, but his welfare and quality of life are always in our care through his care. It was a top priority.”

“Over the past few months, his heart function has further deteriorated and his chronic respiratory disease known as Orangutan Respiratory Disease Syndrome (ORDS) has worsened,” according to a zoo news release. “His longevity is a testament to his resilience and the exceptional care he received.”

When Cheek was first diagnosed with heart disease, Norton Healthcare cardiologist Joe Rush worked closely with the veterinary staff to develop a treatment plan. He was given the same drugs as humans, but after two and a half years of comprehensive treatment, his condition progressed to heart failure.

“We are all saddened by the loss of Cheek at the Louisville Zoo and the entire community,” Rush said. “During these difficult times, I am continually reminded of and grateful for the skill and caring professionalism of our zoo staff in supporting the complex medical care required to support our primate programs.”

Cheek was born at the Como Zoo in Minnesota on November 21, 1987, and was moved to Louisville from the Columbus Zoo in 1996. Her half-sister Amber, also a Sumatran-Borneo hybrid orangutan, also joined Cheek.

Louisville Zoo Director Dan Maloney said Cheek had a huge impact on the local community and will definitely be missed.

“Cheek was definitely a celebrity at the Louisville Zoo. His outstanding personality made him a great ambassador for his species, and he was able to inspire an interest in wildlife in visitors of all ages. I “While our staff feels the animal’s death, we recognize that Cheek’s death resonates just as deeply in our broader community,” Mr Maloney said. “Thank you to everyone who visited and cared for Cheek during his time in Louisville. He was a very special member of our zoo family and will be greatly missed.”

The zoo also released a memorial video for Cheek on YouTube. Please refer to the following.

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