Orangutan Will Have To Quit Smoking, Malaysian Official Says

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Main Category: Veterinary
Also Included In: Smoking / Quit Smoking
Article Date: 12 Sep 2011 - 13:00 PDT


Shirley, an orangutan, who used to be regularly given cigarettes by zoo visitors will have to quit because a Malaysian wildlife official said "smoking is not normal behavior for orangutans." Shirley used to live in a state-run zoo in Johor, a state in southern Malaysia. She and several other animals were found to be living in poor conditions and are being re-housed in different zoos and wildlife centers around the country.

At the moment, Shirley is in quarantine in Melaka Zoo in a neighboring state. She will soon be sent to a wildlife center on Borneo island, officials have announced.

Ahmad Azhar Mohammed, director of Melaka Zoo, said in an interview with The Associated Press:

"I would say she is not addicted, but she might have formed a habit after mimicking human beings who were smoking around her."

He stressed that the orangutan will not be getting any more cigarettes.

Zoo officials cannot report on her present state of health, they are still waiting for blood test results to come back. However, it appears Shirley has not displayed any of the signs and symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, and her appetite is good.



Malaysian officials first heard about Shirley's smoking when a British activist group - Nature Alert - informed them about an orangutan at Johor Zoo which would pick up lit cigarettes thrown to her by visitors.

Shirley lived in a pit-like enclosure and was described as sometimes looking drowsy. Malaysian officials were also told that in her old zoo she would become quite agitated after spending some time without a smoke. Some people noticed she used to be very moody.

Conditions of other animals at Johor zoo were also said to be poor. A tiger and baby elephant, which were both kept chained, have also been seized and are being housed elsewhere.

Shirley is about 20 years old. Captive orangutans can live up to 60 years. Nobody knows how long Shirley has been a smoker.

Apes include:

• The great apes:
  Chimpanzees (genus Pan)
  Gorillas (genus Gorilla)
  Orangutans (genus Pongo)
• Lesser ape:
  Gibbons (family Hylobiatidae)

Nature Alert is dedicated to saving orangutans and their forest homes.

Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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