Second-Oldest Orangutan in North America Dies in St. Louis

Sad news to report out of the St. Louis Zoo today. One of their cherished orangutans has died and she happened to be the second oldest of her species in North America.

The announcement was made on social media by the St. Louis Zoo about the passing of Merah who was 57-years-old who was euthanized on June 3, 2026.

In case you can't read the text of their post on your device, here's what the St. Louis Zoo said:

"After a careful assessment of her health and quality of life, the decision was made to humanely euthanize Merah on Wednesday morning, June 3. At the time of her passing, Merah was the second-oldest Sumatran orangutan in North America and was receiving specialized care for multiple advanced heath conditions related to her age."

This was a video shared last year by the St. Louis Zoo on her 56th birthday: