Denver Zoo euthanizes 40-year-old orangutan named Robin

A 40-year-old orangutan that called the Denver Zoo home for 20 years has been euthanized because of health problems that weren’t improving.

Zoo officials say the orangutan named Robin was experiencing extreme lethargy, lack of appetite and a loss of fine motor skills. He was put down Friday.

The Denver Post reportsRobin was the second oldest orangutan in North American zoos – far exceeding the life expectancy of 27.7 years. He was born at the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul, Minnesota, and was brought to the Denver Zoo in 1996.

Brian Aucone, vice president for animal care and conservation at the zoo, says “certainly the world is a lesser place without this beautiful creature.”

The zoo still is home to three orangutans – 27-year-old Nias, 13-year-old Bernas and 5-year-old Hesty.