Busch Gardens orangutan Malu euthanized after suffering unknown health condition, says park

Malu, a four-year-old male orangutan at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, was euthanized yesterday after experts were unable to diagnosis a serious health condition, says the theme park.

Busch Gardens announced Malu’s death in a social media post Tuesday evening, saying that after his health began to decline earlier this month, he was treated for his symptoms and placed on a 24-hour watch.

The park did not give details on those symptoms.

“A battery of ongoing tests including an MRI, and ongoing consultations with veterinary specialists in the area including neurologists, were unable to diagnose his condition,” says the park. “Despite every effort to save his life, he reached the point where the only compassionate thing for our dedicated veterinary and animal care team to do was to humanely euthanize Malu today while surrounded by the people who had loved and cared for him since his birth at Busch Gardens in 2017.”

Malu is the second primate that has died in Busch Gardens in the past three years. In September of 2019, the park’s oldest male gorilla at the time,  Sim Sim, passed away due to a degenerative condition in his right leg.

One month later, a bengal tiger named Bala was killed after having what the park called “an atypical interaction” with her brother.

“Malu was a beloved member of our zoo family, and our team formed a very special bond caring for him and watching him grow from a tiny newborn into a playful and energetic juvenile, making his passing at this young age especially heartbreaking,” says the park. “We appreciate your continued support during this difficult time.”

This article appears in Jul 14-20, 2022.