Lop Buri bids farewell to Mike, the orangutan

[Guest guest]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/16Jun2002_news09.html

Bangkok Post

16 June 2002

 

LOP BURI ZOO

Crowds bid beloved ape a fond farewell

 

`Mike' to be buried in park compound

Anchalee Kongrut

 

Lop Buri residents bade a fond farewell yesterday to Mike the orang-utan, a

star attraction at the city's zoo before his death from pneumonia on

Thursday.

 

The beloved ape was afforded a funeral ceremony befitting his celebrity

status, with bathing rites and prayers chanted by Buddhist monks over a

soundtrack of traditional music.

 

``Mike was a big celebrity here. He became a symbol of Lop Buri province,

with which he became synonymous,'' said 32-year-old Orawan Euapanpong, who

attended Mike's funeral with her daughters.

 

``He had many fans, particularly among children, many of whom developed

strong bonds with his family,'' Ms Orawan said.

 

Mike will be laid to rest today in a burial ceremony at Lop Buri zoo.

 

Despite the absence of Mike, visitors continued to stream into the zoo

yesterday to give moral support to the ape's mates, Zuzu and Mali, and his

three offspring.

 

Many zoo visitors said they were concerned over the well-being of Mike's

bereaved kin.

 

``The two female orang-utans will be lonely, and the babies will also miss

their father,'' said Tasnee Pinwanna, a 29-year-old Lop Buri resident and a

regular visitor to the zoo.

 

Manad Vimuktipune, vice chairman of Lop Buri's municipal council, said with

Mike's death, the province's tourism industry had lost its ``most effective

PR tool''.

 

Mr Manad's sentiments were echoed by many.

 

``Mike and Zuzu helped boost my income substantially,'' said Supawat

Pimjard, a souvenir vendor at the zoo. ``Thanks to Mike, I have been able to

earn up to 50,000 baht a month and have paid off all my debts.''

 

Yongyuth Kitwatananusont, CEO of Lop Buri Inn Group and one of the ape's

greatest admirers, agreed a priceless asset to the province had been lost.

 

``It is not an exaggeration to say that monkeys and apes are the province's

best resource,'' he said. ``Without them, we would have almost nothing to

attract tourists.''

 

Lop Buri province is renowned for its population of monkeys, many of which

live peacefully alongside the town's residents.

 

More than 300 monkeys have made their home at Phra Karn shrine in the

provincial capital and an annual feast of food and fruits is arranged for

them, which draws huge crowds of tourists.