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Zoo celebrity orangutan dies

SINGAPORE: Ah Meng, an orangutan who met celebrities and starred as a poster girl for Singapore’s tourism campaign, has died of old age. It was about 48.

Singapore Zoo will hold a memorial for Ah Meng on Sunday.

Alagappasamy Chellaiyah, the keeper who had cared for Ah Meng since it arrived at the zoo more than 30 years ago, said he would miss the friendly ape.

“Her departure makes me extremely sad and it will take a long while for me to adjust to not having her around,” he said.

In 1992, it received the ‘Special Tourism Ambassador’ award from the Singapore Tourism Board. Ah Meng is survived by two sons, two daughters and six grandchildren. — AP

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