Sad News from Zoom Erlebniswelt Gelsenkirchen
It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Schubbi, the Sumatran orangutan from Zoom Erlebniswelt Gelsenkirchen. On Thursday, the zoo announced that Schubbi had to be euthanized at the age of 53 due to age-related health issues. The zoo team expressed that they are deeply saddened by the loss.
Over the past months, Schubbi’s general condition had continued to decline despite intensive veterinary care, and the difficult decision was made to let him go peacefully.
Schubbi was born on May 28, 1972, at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center in the USA. In 1982, he moved to Zoo Basel, before coming to Gelsenkirchen in 2009 for the opening of the “Erlebniswelt Asien” area. Together with several females from Basel, he became one of the founding residents of the orangutan habitat in the tropical paradise section.
Schubbi was a remarkable individual, much loved by keepers and visitors alike. He will be fondly remembered and greatly missed.