Phoenix Zoo orangutan Duchess diagnosed with terminal cancer
Jun 20, 2012, 8:45 AM
PHOENIX — An orangutan that has lived at the Phoenix Zoo for 50 years is
sick with cancer.
The Arizona Republic reported zoo officials said Tuesday
that Duchess has been diagnosed with lymphosarcoma and likely only
has weeks to live.
Zookeepers learned of the illness last week after noticing a decrease in her appetite and
other unusual behavior. A medical exam showed a mass in her abdomen and enlarged
lymph nodes.
The 52-year-old primate is the oldest Bornean orangutan in North America and
has been with the zoo since 1962.
Zoo staffers said they will try to make Duchess as comfortable as possible and
are speaking with oncologists about other treatment options.
They said the zoo is taking comfort that Duchess has surpassed an orangutan’s
average lifespan.
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Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com