Berani, a beloved orangutan, single dad and fixture at the Denver Zoo, was euthanized Monday after his caretakers determined he was in end-stage kidney failure, zoo officials announced.
The 32-year-old Sumatran orangutan captured hearts of zoo staff and visitors alike in 2020 when he stepped up as a single dad for his infant daughter, Cerah, after his mate, Nias, died unexpectedly.
“Male orangutans rarely take on caregiving roles, but Berani became a devoted, patient and caring father figure. Even as Cerah grew more independent, she often sought comfort in her dad’s arms,” the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance wrote in a post announcing Berani’s death on Tuesday.
Berani welcomed another daughter, Siska, with mate Eirina in 2023, and the baby’s paternity was confirmed in an announcement from talk show host Maury Povich.
Berani was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2024, which is common in orangutans, zoo officials said. In February, the organization announced his illness had progressed to kidney failure.
“When recent bloodwork and a noticeable decline in his health showed that his quality of life was diminishing and he had entered end-stage kidney failure, our Animal Care and Health teams made the compassionate decision to humanely euthanize him to prevent any suffering,” the Denver Zoo said Tuesday.
Berani arrived at the zoo in 2017, moving from the Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans, Louisiana, as part of a species survival plan from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
In statements, animal care specialists Christa Klein and Kirstin Prunchak described the orangutan’s playful, curious and brave nature.
Berani would invite members of his care teams to play with him even if they were in the middle of working on something else and was known to whistle to get their attention.
“I’ll also never forget when he’d look into your eyes, really seeing you, and then find something to gift you and smile. Berani reached people across the world, not only inspiring them to care about him and his family, but also to care about orangutans in the wild,” Klein said.
Berani found joy in simple things like using combs to make music, painting on the walls or playing with hoses, Prunchak said.
“His strength was never more apparent than in his final months. Despite his kidney disease, he was incredibly tolerant and brave during his every-other-week blood draws. It was a testament to his trust and resilience,” she said.
Zoo staff will use information gathered during a postmortem exam to help with future orangutan care and conservation, the organization said.
“Our campus will never feel quite the same without him, but his story will continue to inspire compassion for orangutans and conservation worldwide,” officials said.
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