Pairi Daiza announced sad news to park regulars on his Facebook account. Gempa, an orangutan who had been ill for several weeks, has died.
“It is with a heavy heart and immense sadness that we must announce the death of Gempa, our dear orangutan whom you and we loved so deeply. The many tests carried out – ultrasounds, X-rays, scans and blood tests – as well as ongoing consultations with veterinarians and external specialist doctors, revealed that a staphylococcus infection had triggered, despite the treatments administered, a Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC). This complication caused serious damage to his body: digestive hemorrhages, motor disorders and organ failure, leaving him with no hope of remission,” the press release explains. The carers finally decided to let the animal go peacefully.
Pierre Gillet, the park’s veterinarian, explains: “We tried absolutely everything to treat him. DIC is a serious blood disorder, where the clotting mechanism goes out of control and becomes excessive. Despite all our efforts, his condition continued to deteriorate. It was heartbreaking, but we knew that the greatest show of compassion we could offer him was to help him leave in peace and with dignity.”
“The orangutan keepers are now focusing all their attention on Jula, Molly and Sinta, who lived with Gempa. Although their health is in no danger (this staphylococcus is not contagious), it is obvious that they will need all their tenderness to overcome this loss. On this particularly difficult day, we thank you once again for all the love given to Gempa over all these years,” the park concludes.
