Betty, the chimpanzee that had been at the Dublin Zoo for the longest and the oldest living chimp under human care, passed away last week at the age of 62. She was one of the zoo’s most cherished and well-known inmates.
A zoo blog article claims that Betty had age-related ailments that were impairing her quality of life, and the tough choice to end her life was made to spare her from suffering in the future.
Although it is heartbreaking to lose Betty, she enjoyed a lengthy life that exceeded the average lifespan of a chimpanzee in captivity. According to the zoo, she was also the oldest chimpanzee in human care at the time of her death.
Team leader Helen Clarke Bennett of Dublin Zoo, who has worked as a zookeeper since 1987 and has known Betty for many years, paid tribute to her.
In 1964, a West African chimpanzee named Betty made her way to Dublin. Bennett notes that Betty participated in archaic practices like “Chimp Tea Parties” and that the Dublin Zoo continued to operate in the “style of the early Victorian era zoos” throughout that period.
Betty saw major advancements in zoo standards throughout her decades-long confinement. For example, in the 1990s, the chimp habitat was transformed from a metal-barred concrete “pit” to an island with trees.
Bennett claimed to have known Betty since the zoo’s early years since Michael Clarke, Betty’s father, was looking after her at the time. The chimp was “always strong-minded,” according to him, and would not give up on her goals.
After Wendy moved in 1964, Betty’s best friend, Wendy, became an integral part of her life for the majority of it. One of the cutest pairs in the zoo was formed by the two monkeys.
“Wendy had a cheeky side, but Betty could hold her accountable!” Bennett penned the piece. “When Wendy was obstinately refusing to go outside while the habitat was being cleaned, Betty putting her arm around her to encourage her to go outside with the rest of the troop will always be one of my favorite pictures.”
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Betty and Wendy celebrated their 50th birthdays together in 2012 at the zoo. The zoo workers believed that Betty, who was devastated by Wendy’s death in 2014, wouldn’t be far behind.
She even managed to live on for a further ten years, rising to the rank of dominating female chimpanzee and earning the title of longest-serving inhabitant of the zoo.
Bennett stated that Betty experienced reduced kidney function and chronic arthritis in her latter years, which affected her weight and mobility. She was also under continuous wellness management.
They had to make the tough but humane decision to end the beloved chimp’s life after all medicinal and surgical alternatives had been tried. Even though Betty is no longer with us, she will always be cherished as a unique original and a zoogoer’s favorite for many decades to come.
“Although I am really saddened to bid farewell to a friend I have known since I was a young child, I am sure that Betty’s euthanasia was the right choice, ensuring that she didn’t suffer needlessly and preserving her dignity to the very end. That gives me a great deal of comfort,” Bennett wrote.
“Everyone here at Dublin Zoo as well as the many generations of visitors who were fortunate enough to know her will miss Betty terribly; there will never be another like her.”
Peace be with you, Betty. You lived a very long life, and it’s obvious that your loved ones and caregivers cherished you.
Emma Heming Shares Emotional Video of Bruce Willis Following Dementia Diagnosis
Following his diagnosis with aphasia, a condition that disrupts communication, actor Bruce Willis has largely stayed out of the public eye. His family has been candid about his condition, revealing that he has frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and continues to keep fans updated on his health journey.
Rumer Willis, Bruce’s daughter, took to social media to express the family’s gratitude: “We want to start by thanking everyone for the overwhelming outpouring of love, support, and the wonderful stories we have received since sharing Bruce’s initial diagnosis. With that in mind, we wanted to provide an update on our beloved husband, father, and friend, now that we have a clearer understanding of his condition.”
She added, “Since we disclosed Bruce’s aphasia diagnosis in spring 2022, his condition has progressed, leading to a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (FTD).”
As Bruce’s cognitive abilities continue to decline, his medical team is doing all they can to make his life more comfortable. Emma Heming, Willis’ wife, is working closely with a dementia specialist to ensure that the Die Hard star receives the best possible care. “My grief can be paralyzing, but I’m learning to coexist with it. As my stepdaughter, Scout Willis, reminded me, grief is the purest form of love. I hope that brings you some comfort too,” she shared in 2022.
Recently, Emma discovered a new Instagram feature that showcases past photos and videos. She shared a memory of Bruce from a year ago, where he is seen praising her, with the caption: “What’s this new Memory feature on IG!? Omg, my biggest fan. I’m so in love with him.”
In the video, Bruce is heard expressing his admiration for Emma’s skincare brand, Cocobaba.
Before the family publicly disclosed Willis’ diagnosis, his colleagues observed that he was struggling to remember his lines. A crew member from his recent film, White Elephant, remarked: “It wasn’t a matter of annoyance but more about protecting Bruce’s dignity. Someone would feed him a line, and he struggled to grasp its meaning. He was just being guided along.”
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