India’s oldest chimp, Rita, dies in Delhi zoo

NEW DELHI: India’s oldest chimpanzee, Rita, on Tuesday died at Delhi zoo at the ripe old age of 59. Rita, who was housed at Delhi zoo for the last 55 years, passed why three months shy of her 60th birthday.

Battling old age and health problems, Rita, was on a liquid diet for over three months. She died of “multiple-organ failure”, according to a statement issued by zoo authorities.

Experts, who conducted Rita’s post-mortem, confirmed that she was suffering from “geriatric problems and her organs had weakened.” Delhi Zoo authorities on Tuesday said tissues from her organs will be sent to Indian Veterinary Research Institute to confirm the exact cause of death.

“The 59-year-old chimpanzee had not been keeping well since July 27. She was not eating properly and had become frail. She died at 12.15 pm,” said the Delhi zoo statement.

The zoo has decided to call off its inaugural programme marking the first day of the Wildlife Week for mourning Rita’s death.

Since July, Rita was being administered liver tonics and iron supplements.

Zoo officials said for over two months she was consuming juices of fresh fruit, coconut water and milk with ground almonds and walnuts.

According to AM Pawde, head of wildlife department at Indian Veterinary Research Institute, who treated Rita in her last days, “When I visited Rita on August 29, she was unable to get up. She had got bed sores. We had suggested cushions be used to make her cage comfortable, but she was particular about her gunny bag and would cry if you took it away.” Rita was born in Amsterdam zoo on December 15, 1960, and was brought to Delhi on February 27, 1964, in exchange for domestic cranes. HTC