CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- The staff at the Metro Richmond Zoo is in mourning after the death of JoJo the orangutan. The zoo announced JoJo's death on its Facebook page.
"Jo came to the Metro Richmond Zoo in 1997 and was a favorite among zoo staff and visitors. She was a gorgeous animal with a kind and playful spirit. She was one of the few orangutans in the world who could whistle on command," the zoo posted. "Several years ago JoJo was diagnosed with diabetes. As a result, Zoo staff relocated her to an off-exhibit enclosure, so we could monitor her more closely. Zoo staff trained JoJo to allow us to check her blood sugar and administer insulin daily. We were able to regulate the diabetes and she spent the past few years surrounded by her caregivers and extremely spoiled."
Recently, the 31-year-old orangutan was diagnosed with kidney failure.
"As her condition rapidly declined, we kept her comfortable and showered her with love," a zoo spokesperson wrote. "JoJo passed away peacefully last Friday night in her sleep."
