Farewell to Leonie, the Quiet Matriarch of Dublin Zoo

Dublin Zoo is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Leonie, our much-loved 44-year-old female Northwest Bornean orangutan. An iconic presence since her arrival from Rotterdam Zoo in 1984, Leonie was at the heart of our orangutan family for four decades. Dublin Zoo team leader Ciarán McMahon, who first met Leonie in 1995 as a young zookeeper, reflects on her remarkable life and enduring impact: It’s hard to put into words what Leonie meant to us at Dublin Zoo – especially for those of us who’ve known her since the beginning. Leonie and her mate Sibu arrived from Rotterdam in 1984, and over the next 40 years, she became not only a cornerstone of our orangutan group but, in many ways, the quiet and quirky matriarch of Dublin Zoo. I had the privilege of watching her grow from a young adolescent into an extraordinary mother. She was incredibly intelligent, gentle, and wise. While she was loving towards all our keepers, she was known for having a soft spot for the male staff – a bit of a flirt, we used to say! Her level of comprehension was astonishing. She would calmly observe the team and often mimic our behaviour. Orangutans are known for this, but Leonie’s abilities were exceptional. Her nurturing nature was just as impressive. She mothered not only her own young but helped raise others in the troop with immense care and patience. She brought a sense of calm, comfort and quiet strength to the group. One moment that stays with me is how she instinctively stepped in to care for a young Mujur, when she needed a surrogate mother. Their bond remained incredibly strong ever since. It’s safe to say that Leonie was a character. Calm, confident, and adored by visitors and keepers alike. And then there was her famous fringe. Every morning, she would sit and groom it with the utmost care before she went about her day – a little ritual that made everyone love her even more. The loss of her mate Sibu last year hit us all hard, but Leonie most of all. They had been inseparable companions for over 40 years. She was always at her most content by his side, and his sudden passing undoubtedly affected her. In recent months, we watched her health decline due to age-related issues affecting her heart and breathing. Despite expert care, including consultation with human cardiac specialists, her condition worsened. With heavy hearts, we made the decision to let her go peacefully. Her passing leaves a space that’s hard to describe—for all of us, for our visitors, and especially for Mujur. We’re now focusing on carefully planned introductions to ensure Mujur has companionship in the months ahead. Leonie taught us more than we could ever teach her. She offered us an extraordinary insight into the intelligence and complexity of orangutans while always retaining her dignity and independence within the group. From my first day working with her in 1995 to now, she has been a constant presence and a true highlight of my career. Perhaps her greatest legacy will be the generations of keepers who carry her lessons forward—in caregiving, in leadership, and in compassion. Her story reminds us of what we’re fighting for. The Northwest Bornean orangutan is a critically endangered species. The current population estimate for this species is approximately 104,700. This number is anticipated to decline to 47,000 individuals by 2025. Major threats include habitat loss due to palm oil farming, illegal hunting, habitat fragmentation, and fires. Leonie inspired millions to care about the survival of her species. We miss her already. And always will.