Betty, Dublin Zoo’s longest resident and oldest chimp in human care, dead at 62 — rest in peace

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.

Taylor Swift Faces Backlash for ‘Street Walker’ Style at the Game—See the Controversial Outfit!

Taylor Swift is famous for her daring fashion choices. However, her recent look at a Kansas City Chiefs game received a lot of criticism from people online.

The main issue was her outfit, which featured a large red Kansas City Chiefs t-shirt that she turned into a loose mini dress. In classic Swift style, she matched this with thigh-high black leather boots, a black crossbody bag, and several gold chains.

She finished her look with hoop earrings and her signature bold red lipstick, while her blonde hair flowed in messy waves. Swift made a strong fashion statement as she arrived and later cheered from the Chiefs’ VIP suite.

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Fans are used to seeing her push the limits of fashion, but her outfit for the game didn’t please everyone. Many comments appeared on social media, with one user asking, “With all her money, that’s what she wears?”

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Critics also noted that her outfit felt mismatched compared to the wives and girlfriends of other players, who wore more typical game-day outfits. One commenter remarked, “She dresses like a teenager.”

Viewership of Kelce’s games has increased, with fans and commentators saying that Swift’s celebrity influence has brought more attention to an already popular sport.

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Some people wondered if her recent fashion changes are part of a bigger publicity plan since her relationship with Travis Kelce became known. One user commented, “Her outfits are getting goofier. Does she really need the attention? It seems like since being with Kelce, she’s all about PR.”

Since Swift’s rumored relationship with Kansas City Chiefs star Kelce became public, the attention surrounding his games has skyrocketed. Known for her ability to influence culture, Swift has added a new level of excitement to the NFL, especially for the Chiefs.

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Viewership of Kelce’s games has increased significantly, with fans and commentators crediting Swift’s star power for drawing more attention to an already popular sport. It’s no surprise that her influence extends to everything she engages with, from music to football.

Despite his impressive career, Kelce’s increased attention isn’t just because of his skills on the field. Much of it comes from Swift being in the stands. With this heightened spotlight, both Kelce and Swift are facing more scrutiny than ever.

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