Tonda (orangutan)
 Tonda with T.K. | |
| Species | orangutan |
|---|---|
| Sex | female |
| Born | 1958 |
| Died | March 23, 2009 (aged 50–51) Panama City Beach, Florida |
| Known for | animal odd couple |
Tonda (1958 – 23 March 2009) was the oldest orangutan in the United States. Tonda died on March 23, 2009, at ZooWorld in Panama City Beach, Florida, aged 50.[1]
Biography
Tonda, short for Tondaleyo, died in her sleep at the age of 50. Tonda had represented the oldest registered orangutan in captivity in the United States.
Cultural references
Tonda, along with a male kitten named T.K., had earned a modicum of fame after being named the second-best animal odd couple by Animal Planet. The pair were also the subject of a book, Tonda and TK: Friends.[2]
See also
- Ah Meng (c. 18 June 1960 — 8 February 2008) — female Sumatran orangutan and a tourism icon of Singapore
- Bonnie — orangutan; began whistling (mimicking an animal caretaker), which is changing ideas about primate sound repertoires.
- Chantek (born 1977) — orangutan; involved with language research and ApeNet language-using great ape ambassador
- List of apes
- Orangutans in popular culture
- Oldest apes
References
- ^ "Tonda the orangutan dies at Florida Panhandle zoo". Orlando Sentinel. March 22, 2009. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
- ^ "Book tells story of TK the Cat and friend, Tonda the Orangutan". Arkansas Online. April 12, 2010.